Maduro Appears in New York Court After U.S. Capture

Nicolas Maduro arrived Monday at a federal courthouse in Manhattan for his first appearance before a U.S. judge, two days after American forces seized him in Caracas and transferred him to New York. Maduro was brought to the courthouse under heavy security shortly before the hearing, scheduled for noon local time.

The appearance is a rare moment in U.S. legal history, with a former Venezuelan president physically standing before an American court on criminal charges. U.S. officials say the case represents a significant escalation in efforts to prosecute alleged international drug trafficking networks linked to senior foreign leaders.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during a U.S. operation in the Venezuelan capital on Saturday. They were flown out of Venezuela and placed in U.S. custody before being transferred to New York. Footage circulated online showed Maduro surrounded by a large security presence as he was moved by helicopter during the transfer and later driven into a secure garage within the courthouse complex, keeping him out of public view until the hearing.

According to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Maduro faces multiple federal charges, including narcoterrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, and weapons-related offenses. The Justice Department says the charges stem from alleged long-running efforts to traffic cocaine toward U.S. territory.

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the operation and indictments shortly after Maduro’s capture. “We successfully carried out a large-scale operation against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who was captured along with his wife and removed from the country,” Trump said. “The operation was conducted in cooperation with U.S. law enforcement agencies. More details to follow.”

Authorities have not said whether he or Flores will enter a plea at this stage, and no bail decision has been publicly disclosed. The hearing is expected to address procedural matters and outline the next steps in the case.

International reaction has followed quickly. The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency session later Monday at Venezuela’s request, following the U.S. operation and Maduro’s transfer to American custody. Maduro remains in U.S. custody as the legal process moves forward, with further court proceedings expected in the coming days.