Maduro Trial: Trial Start Not Until June 2027

Allegations Against the Couple

US special forces abducted Maduro and his wife during an operation in Caracas in January and brought them to New York. They have been held in a prison in the New York borough of Brooklyn since their arrest. They have pleaded not guilty there in court.

At a court hearing, Maduro and his wife recently accused the United States of having kidnapped them. Maduro had led his country for years at the head of a socialist government in an authoritarian manner.

Dispute Over Defense Costs

While Maduro's lawyers wanted to use Venezuelan state funds, the prosecutors opposed this. In a prior hearing, for example, the question was who would bear the defense costs of the couple. At the time, the court initially left the decision on this open.

Whether Maduro and his co-defendant wife Cilia Flores would attend in person was initially still unclear. According to the court, the session is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. CEST.

Outlook on the Further Proceedings

With the now proposed trial start in June 2027, the proceedings would be drawn out further. Until then, numerous preliminary hearings could take place, including on evidentiary motions and on the question of which documents from the Venezuelan government's circle may be used as defense material.

The case is considered one of the most politically charged drug trafficking trials of recent years. Observers expect that the question of the legitimacy of the arrest in Caracas will remain a central issue in the proceedings. The role of the US military in the apprehension is also likely to play a role in court.