The United States Court has decided that the trial of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, should only begin on June 1, 2027. The decision was made this Wednesday (22) by federal judge Alvin Hellerstein, during a hearing in the Southern District Court of New York.
The decision accepts the request made jointly by the prosecutor and the couple. By June of next year, evidence will be presented and there will be pre-trial motions. Maduro and Flores face drug trafficking charges, among other charges. If the American jury accepts the prosecution’s demand, both could be sentenced to life in prison. In January, they pleaded not guilty in a New York court.
This Wednesday’s hearing (22) focused on the schedule for the delivery of important information for the process. On November 17th, the admissibility of the evidence will be analyzed.
The defense will also present two motions requesting the complete dismissal of the case, on the grounds that the defendants have presidential immunity. If the request is not met, a new hearing will be held on March 11, 2027.
On January 3, 2026, the US Armed Forces invaded Venezuela, carrying out an armed attack with at least 100 deaths and kidnapping Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, who were forcibly taken to New York.
Outside the court, protesters gathered to call for the release of Maduro and Cilia. Supporters of the couple’s arrest also attended the scene. When he arrived for the hearing, Maduro wore a beige uniform in keeping with the standard of the American penitentiary system.
Maduro’s defense is carried out by lawyer Barry J. Pollack, who has on his resume acting in the case against the founder of WikiLeaksJulian Assange. Cilia Flores, in turn, is assisted by Mark Donnelly, who worked at the US Department of Justice.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
