Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro returned to a federal court in New York on Wednesday for a hearing on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and weapons offences.
Maduro, 63, and his wife Cilia Flores have been held in a Brooklyn jail since their capture in a US military operation in January that ended his long rule. Wednesday’s appearance marked his third public court hearing in the case.
US prosecutors accuse the former leader of four counts: conspiracy to engage in narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons. Maduro has pleaded not guilty and denied all allegations.
He has described himself as a “prisoner of war,” insisting the charges are politically motivated.
The hearing was expected to focus mainly on procedural matters as the high-profile case advances toward trial, sources familiar with the proceedings said.
In April, US authorities allowed the Venezuelan government to help finance the couple’s legal defence despite existing sanctions, after the pair argued that funding restrictions violated their right to counsel of choice. A motion to dismiss the case on those grounds was rejected.
Maduro assumed power in 2013 and was removed from office following the January 3 operation involving US air, naval and ground forces. Former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has since led Venezuela, while Washington has taken control of the country’s oil exports.
The prosecution of a former head of state has drawn international attention as one of the most significant cases of its kind.
