Nicolas Maduro in NYC: Former Venezuelan president faces first US court hearing under heavy security

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, arrived in New York City on Monday, January 5, for their first appearance in a US federal court following their capture by American forces on Saturday. 

The proceedings come after a high-profile US military operation removed the couple from Caracas and transferred them to federal custody.

The pair face multiple charges and their arrival at the courthouse prompted extensive security measures across Lower Manhattan.

Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores arrive for first federal court appearance 

Nicolás Maduro, 63, and his wife, Cilia Flores, 69, arrived at a federal courthouse in Manhattan on Monday morning ahead of their first appearance before US District Judge Alvin K Hellerstein.

The couple faces charges in the Southern District of New York for organized crime conspiracy, conspiracy to import prohibited substances, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess those weapons against the United States.

The charges were unsealed on Saturday after US forces captured Maduro and Flores at their heavily fortified compound in Caracas during a military mission dubbed 'Operation Absolute Resolve.'

The operation was authorized after President Donald Trump gave the final directive to carry out strikes and secure the Venezuelan leader.

The Trump administration has repeatedly described Maduro’s government as illegitimate, alleging that he maintained power through rigged elections, including in 2024.

The couple have reportedly been held in separate solitary confinement cells at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), a high-security federal facility that has housed inmates such as Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Both were removed from the general prison population due to security concerns.

Maduro and Flores arrived at the Manhattan courthouse shortly before 7.45 am, when an armored vehicle reversed into a secured area of the building.

The pair is scheduled to be arraigned at noon. Maduro could face a potential life sentence if convicted on all charges.

Extraordinary security measures deployed across Lower Manhattan 

Security surrounding Maduro’s court appearance is extensive and highly visible throughout Lower Manhattan.

The couple was transported via helicopter from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to the Wall Street heliport at approximately 7.30 am. From there, they were escorted by a heavily guarded motorcade to the courthouse.

The armored vehicle carrying Maduro and Flores was accompanied by unmarked vans and multiple NYPD patrol cars.

Scores of heavily armed DEA agents and New York City police officers were deployed along the route, while barricades lined streets surrounding the courthouse.

News helicopters hovered overhead during the transfer, briefly capturing images of Maduro as he was moved between vehicles.

Maduro was seen wearing khaki prison attire and red footwear, with his hands shackled in front of him, as he was transferred from an armored Bearcat tactical vehicle to a police SUV.

The courthouse perimeter remained locked down throughout the morning, with officers stationed at entrances and a growing line of onlookers forming nearby.

After the hearing, Maduro and Flores are expected to be returned to federal custody in Brooklyn as the legal proceedings move forward.