Nicolás Maduro and Wife See Scheduled Federal Court Appearance Time And Date Released (Report)

January 4, 2026 – Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are expected to make their initial appearance in U.S. federal court in Manhattan at noon on Monday, January 6, 2026.

This arraignment follows their capture during a U.S. military operation in Caracas on January 3 and transfer to New York, where they face long-standing federal charges related to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.

Nicolás Maduro Key Court Details

• Date and Time — Monday, January 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET.
• Location — U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Manhattan federal court).
• Presiding Judge — U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein (assigned to the case since the original 2020 indictment).
• Nature of Appearance — Initial arraignment on a superseding indictment unsealed January 3-4, 2026. Maduro and Flores are detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn awaiting this hearing.

The charges stem from a 2020 indictment (updated in the superseding version) alleging a decades-long conspiracy to import thousands of tons of cocaine into the United States, involving narco-terrorism, drug importation, and weapons violations. Prosecutors describe it as a scheme enriching Venezuelan officials while partnering with groups like the Colombian FARC and the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

Background on the Case

The original indictment against Maduro and 14 others was filed in March 2020 during President Trump’s first term. The updated version adds Flores and Maduro’s son as defendants, emphasizing alleged corruption benefiting the family and regime.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the couple will “face the full wrath of American justice on American soil.” Maduro has consistently denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated.

Broader Context

This court date comes amid dramatic events:

• U.S. forces conducted strikes on Venezuelan targets and captured Maduro and Flores on January 3.
• President Trump announced the U.S. would temporarily oversee Venezuela’s affairs, focusing on oil infrastructure and a power transition.
• International reactions vary, with condemnations from allies like Cuba and Russia, and mixed responses domestically.

The January 6 hearing will likely involve reading charges, entering pleas (expected not guilty), and discussions on bail (unlikely given flight risk and national security concerns). Future trial dates have not been set, but the case could extend for months or years.

This marks a historic moment, as Maduro becomes the highest-ranking foreign leader extradited (via capture) to face U.S. drug charges. Stay tuned for live coverage of the arraignment and further developments.

Sources: CBS News live updates, U.S. District Court statements, Justice Department announcements, and related reports from Fox News, Reuters, and others (as of January 4, 2026).

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