Nicolás Maduro to appear in Manhattan court as President Donald Trump threatens other countries
Maduro, Flores to appear in federal court to face narco-terrorism charges
Image credit : ANI
usted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is set to appear in a Lower Manhattan federal court after being captured by U.S. forces in a dramatic military raid in Caracas. Facing charges of narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking, Maduro’s arraignment has triggered emergency UN talks, rattled global markets, and intensified fears of a far more aggressive U.S. foreign policy in Latin America and beyond.
Maduro, Flores to appear in federal court to face narco-terrorism charges
Nicolás Maduro, the ousted Venezuelan president, is scheduled to appear later today in a federal court in Lower Manhattan, marking a dramatic escalation in a crisis that is rapidly reshaping global geopolitics. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were flown to New York after being captured by U.S. forces during a military raid in Caracas over the weekend.
According to an unsealed federal indictment, Maduro faces multiple charges, including narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, and weapons-related offenses. Flores is charged with participating in the cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Both are expected to plead not guilty during their arraignment and will likely remain detained at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. Legal experts say a full trial could still be more than a year away.
Outside the courthouse early Monday, security was tight as reporters and law-enforcement officials gathered amid freezing temperatures. The arraignment comes as President Donald Trump doubled down on aggressive rhetoric, asserting that the United States is “in charge” of Venezuela and suggesting that similar actions could be taken against other countries, including Colombia, Mexico, Iran and even Greenland.
Asked aboard Air Force One whether Colombia could be targeted next, Trump responded, “It sounds good to me.” The remarks have alarmed diplomats worldwide and intensified fears of a broader interventionist U.S. posture in Latin America and beyond.
The United Nations Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting today to debate the legality of the U.S. raid, while Trump administration officials plan to brief congressional leaders following criticism from Democrats who say they were not informed in advance.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez has struck a more conciliatory tone, calling for dialogue with Washington even as sanctions tighten and U.S. naval forces enforce a sweeping blockade on Venezuelan oil exports.
Markets, governments and global institutions are now watching closely as Maduro enters a U.S. courtroom a moment likely to reverberate through international law, diplomacy and U.S.–Latin America relations for years to come.
According to an unsealed federal indictment, Maduro faces multiple charges, including narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, and weapons-related offenses. Flores is charged with participating in the cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Both are expected to plead not guilty during their arraignment and will likely remain detained at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. Legal experts say a full trial could still be more than a year away.
Outside the courthouse early Monday, security was tight as reporters and law-enforcement officials gathered amid freezing temperatures. The arraignment comes as President Donald Trump doubled down on aggressive rhetoric, asserting that the United States is “in charge” of Venezuela and suggesting that similar actions could be taken against other countries, including Colombia, Mexico, Iran and even Greenland.
Asked aboard Air Force One whether Colombia could be targeted next, Trump responded, “It sounds good to me.” The remarks have alarmed diplomats worldwide and intensified fears of a broader interventionist U.S. posture in Latin America and beyond.
The United Nations Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting today to debate the legality of the U.S. raid, while Trump administration officials plan to brief congressional leaders following criticism from Democrats who say they were not informed in advance.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez has struck a more conciliatory tone, calling for dialogue with Washington even as sanctions tighten and U.S. naval forces enforce a sweeping blockade on Venezuelan oil exports.
Markets, governments and global institutions are now watching closely as Maduro enters a U.S. courtroom a moment likely to reverberate through international law, diplomacy and U.S.–Latin America relations for years to come.