Former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are scheduled to stand trial on June 1, 2027, on charges related to drug trafficking and possession of firearms. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein set the trial date at the request of both federal prosecutors and the defense. The couple has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include participating in a conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States over a period of more than 25 years.
Defense attorneys are expected to file motions challenging the indictment in early September, with oral arguments scheduled for November 17. The trial may face delays due to potential disputes over classified evidence. Maduro and Flores, who appeared in court wearing prison uniforms, are currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
Maduro, who served as president of Venezuela from 2013 until his removal, was captured by U.S. forces in January 2026 during a raid on his residence in Caracas. The U.S. government has accused him of leading a criminal network involved in drug trafficking. The defense plans to argue that Maduro is protected by immunity due to his status as a former head of state, while prosecutors aim to focus on the allegations of drug trafficking.