Maduro returns to New York court as judge rejects bid to dismiss charges

Ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in a federal courtroom in New York on March 26, where a judge rejected an attempt by their defence team to have drug trafficking charges dismissed.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein ruled that the case would proceed, dismissing arguments from defence lawyer Barry Pollack that the indictment should be thrown out due to restrictions on funding the couple’s legal defence, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“I’m not going to dismiss the case,” Hellerstein said, making clear that the long-anticipated trial will continue. However, the judge did not specify when he would rule on a separate request that could allow Maduro to use Venezuelan state funds to pay his legal team.

Maduro’s lawyers argue that U.S. sanctions are preventing him from accessing funds, undermining his right to choose legal representation. Prosecutors, however, maintain that such restrictions are justified and that the case should move forward.

During the hearing, Maduro and Flores, dressed in beige prison uniforms, sat apart from each other and listened through headsets providing Spanish translation. Both appeared attentive as legal arguments were presented.

At the end of the session, Maduro briefly shook hands with his lawyer and said, “Hasta mañana” (“See you tomorrow”), before U.S. Marshals escorted the couple out of the courtroom.

The pair, who have been held in custody in Brooklyn since their capture by U.S. forces earlier this year, face serious charges, including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking conspiracy.

Security around the Manhattan courthouse was tight, with police monitoring demonstrations by both supporters and critics of U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Protesters gathered outside, reflecting the deep political divisions surrounding the case.