NEW YORK, USA – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in New York today, facing charges of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism brought by the United States government.
Maduro, who has been indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice since 2020, was taken into custody over the weekend following a coordinated operation involving U.S. law enforcement agencies. The indictment accuses him and other senior Venezuelan officials of conspiring to flood the United States with cocaine and operating a narco-terrorism partnership with leftist Colombian guerrilla groups.
The Venezuelan leader’s legal team has denounced the arrest as an act of “imperialist aggression,” arguing that he enjoys diplomatic immunity as a head of state. The U.S. government, however, maintains that such immunity does not apply to criminal charges of this nature.
Prosecutors allege that Maduro oversaw a criminal enterprise known as the “Cartel of the Suns,” which exploited Venezuela’s state institutions to facilitate drug trafficking.
The hearing is expected to draw intense international attention, with reactions expected from Latin American leaders and global powers. Venezuela’s government has already condemned the arrest, calling it a “kidnapping” and vowing to take the matter to international courts.
If convicted, Maduro faces a potential sentence of life in prison.
Disclaimer: © 2026 CDA News Nigeria. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy: CDA News Nigeria is committed to protecting your privacy. We collect and use personal information solely for delivering news updates and improving your experience. Your data is never shared with third parties without explicit consent. For full details, visit our website www.cdanews.ng.
Contact: For news tips, inquiries, or feedback, contact CDA News Nigeria at info@cdanews.ng.
