Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro arrived at a federal courthouse in Manhattan on Monday for his first appearance before a US judge, marking a dramatic escalation in tensions between Washington and Caracas following a US military operation that led to his capture.
Maduro, who was brought to New York over the weekend, faces multiple criminal charges in the Southern District of New York. According to US authorities, he has been indicted on four counts, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons-related charges involving machine guns and destructive devices. The indictment also alleges that Maduro sold Venezuelan diplomatic passports to drug traffickers and facilitated flights under diplomatic cover.
Security was tightened around the Manhattan courthouse ahead of his appearance, with barricades and increased police presence deployed across surrounding streets. The case has been assigned to veteran federal judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, known for handling high-profile terrorism and national security cases.
The developments come after US President Donald Trump claimed that the United States was “in charge” of Venezuela until a power transition is completed. Venezuela’s interim leadership has signalled willingness to cooperate, while the US action has drawn sharp international reactions. Countries including China, Iran, and Cuba condemned the operation, calling it a violation of international law, while others urged restraint and respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty.
The US strikes and Maduro’s subsequent capture reportedly left dozens dead in Venezuela, triggering protests both in the country and among Venezuelans abroad. Oil prices dipped amid uncertainty over the future of the oil-rich nation, even as Washington indicated it would not directly govern Venezuela.
Maduro’s court appearance is expected to be the first step in a lengthy legal process that could further reshape geopolitics in Latin America and beyond.