NEW YORK — Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are scheduled to appear before a United States federal court in New York to face criminal charges related to alleged international drug trafficking, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
U.S. prosecutors charged Maduro with narcoterrorism, drug trafficking and conspiracy offenses, accusing him and several associates of participating in a scheme to transport large quantities of cocaine through Central America and the Caribbean and into the United States.
Court filings allege that Maduro worked with criminal organizations and armed groups in the region to facilitate the movement of narcotics over several years. Prosecutors said the alleged network used political influence and state resources to support the trafficking operation.
The court appearance will address preliminary matters, including the formal reading of charges and issues related to legal representation, custody and detention conditions. Federal prosecutors are expected to outline the scope of the alleged trafficking network and present evidence linking Maduro and his associates to the operation.
The case represents a major step in U.S. efforts to pursue criminal cases against senior Venezuelan officials. U.S. law enforcement agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, conducted investigations across multiple countries in connection with the charges. The U.S. government previously offered rewards for information leading to Maduro’s arrest or conviction.
Venezuelan authorities have rejected similar accusations in the past, describing U.S. criminal cases and sanctions as politically motivated and an interference in the country’s internal affairs. No ruling has been issued in the New York case as of publication.
