Maduro Makes Second Appearance at New York Courthouse

March 27, 2026

New York: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro made his second appearance Thursday morning in a New York court following his forcible seizure by US troops during a military raid in Caracas earlier this year.

During his first court appearance on January 5, Maduro pleaded not guilty to all United States charges against him, including drug trafficking, and told the court he was “kidnapped” from his Caracas residence and remains the president of Venezuela.

Defense Challenges Charges, Funding Blocked

On Thursday, Maduro’s lawyer urged the judge to dismiss the charges, arguing that the United States is violating Maduro’s constitutional rights by preventing Venezuelan government funds from being used to pay for his legal defense. However, the judge denied the motion to throw out the case.

Captured in Military Strike, Now Detained in Brooklyn

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized by US military forces on January 3 and flown to New York, shocking the international community and triggering widespread condemnation and concern over the legality of the operation. Both have been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York since their arrest.

Protests Outside Courthouse

Protesters gathered outside the courthouse, chanting slogans and demanding Maduro’s immediate release. Supporters insisted that the United States has no right to detain an elected leader and called for global unity against what they view as US aggression.