‘He is not Venezuela’s president,’ US stance firm as Maduro appears in New York court

New York: Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were transferred under heavy armed guard to a federal courthouse in Manhattan on Monday, where the deposed Venezuelan leader is expected to face formal charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offences.

The arraignment, scheduled before 92-year-old US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, marks Maduro’s first court appearance since his dramatic seizure by US forces over the weekend. Maduro's next court appearance is on March 17, 2026.

Outside the courthouse, security was tightened as crowds gathered hours ahead of the hearing. Reporters and members of the public queued around the block to gain access to the courtroom, reflecting the global attention surrounding the case. The proceedings are expected to be brief, with both Maduro and Flores entering their pleas before the court outlines the charges.

US prosecutors accuse Maduro of leading a state-backed narco-terrorism network that allegedly collaborated with international criminal groups to smuggle large quantities of cocaine into the United States. The charges include narco-terrorism conspiracy, drug trafficking and weapons-related offences, all of which carry the possibility of decades-long sentences or life imprisonment if convictions are secured.

Maduro has denied the allegations, insisting that he was forcibly taken from Venezuela and continues to regard himself as the country’s legitimate president. His legal team is expected to challenge the prosecution on jurisdictional grounds, arguing that he is protected by sovereign immunity as a foreign head of state — a claim the US rejects, as Washington no longer recognises him as Venezuela’s lawful leader.

Meanwhile, political developments are unfolding rapidly in Caracas. Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, is set to be sworn in as interim president during a special parliamentary session. Streets around the National Assembly have been partially closed, with security forces deployed, though on a smaller scale than during Maduro’s inauguration ceremony in January 2025. Residents near the presidential palace described growing economic anxiety, with soaring food prices and worsening living conditions dominating daily life.

International reaction to Maduro’s detention has been sharply divided. Iran and China have called for his immediate release, while officials in the United Kingdom described him as an authoritarian figure and said Venezuela is safer now that he is no longer in power. The crisis is also expected to be discussed at an upcoming United Nations Security Council meeting.

The economic fallout has already begun to surface. While global oil prices have not seen dramatic movement, US oil company shares rose sharply in pre-market trading amid expectations that American firms could gain increased access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Chevron, the only major US oil company still operating in the country, saw its shares rise by more than seven per cent, alongside similar gains for oil field services firms. Analysts, however, caution that reviving Venezuela’s oil industry would require years of investment and billions of dollars.

Adding to Maduro’s legal and financial troubles, Switzerland announced the immediate freezing of assets linked to him and individuals associated with his regime. Swiss authorities said the move was aimed at preventing the removal of potentially illicit funds, with the possibility of returning assets to the Venezuelan people if courts later determine they were obtained illegally. Switzerland has maintained sanctions against Venezuelan officials since 2018.

As Maduro prepares to face US justice, Venezuela enters a new and uncertain phase, with shifting political leadership at home, mounting international pressure, and far-reaching legal consequences that could redefine the country’s future relations with the United States and the wider world.