HIBAPRESS: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is scheduled to appear today, Monday, before a federal court in Manhattan to face charges of "terrorism related to drug trafficking," days after his arrest by U.S. forces in an operation that sparked ambiguity about the future of the oil-rich state in South America.
Maduro and his wife were arrested. Maduro, 63, was detained with his wife Cilia Flores in a Brooklyn prison, following a surprise raid by U.S. forces in the capital Caracas during the weekend. The couple is scheduled to appear at the session scheduled for 12:00 PM Eastern Time (17:00 GMT) before U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein. It is not yet clear whether either of them has appointed defense lawyers, or whether they will plead guilty or deny the charges. The United States considers Maduro illegitimate. The United States has considered Maduro an illegitimate ruler since his declared victory in the 2018 elections, which, according to Washington, were marred by widespread accusations of fraud. U.S. prosecutors say that Maduro was the leader of a criminal network that included Venezuelan political and military officials, who conspired for decades with drug smuggling groups and organizations that Washington classifies as terrorists, to flood U.S. lands with thousands of tons of cocaine. The indictment and details of involvement. The first indictment against Maduro dates back to 2020 as part of a long-standing case related to drug smuggling, which included current and former Venezuelan officials, in addition to Colombian armed groups. In a new indictment, the prosecution revealed that Maduro personally oversaw a state-sponsored cocaine smuggling network, which collaborated with violent networks from Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela, benefiting from his position as the country's ruler to achieve personal benefits and for his ruling system and family members. The charges against him include: drug-related terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and possession of machine guns and explosive devices, with the possibility of imposing life imprisonment for each charge in the event of conviction. History of involvement in drugs. The prosecution indicates that Maduro's involvement dates back to 2000 when he was a member of the National Assembly, and continued during his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs between 2006 and 2013, and then since his election as successor to President Hugo Chavez in 2013. He is alleged to have sold diplomatic passports to known smugglers, arranged diplomatic cover for cocaine shipments, and used the armed forces and government branches to protect smuggling operations, in addition to kidnapping, beating, and killing operations to ensure the continuation of the networks. International repercussions of the American attack. Maduro's arrest raised many questions among international law experts, as some considered the operation a violation of the existing international rules-based order. The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to hold a meeting to discuss the operation, while United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described the incident as a dangerous precedent, and Russia and China, two of Venezuela's main supporters, criticized the American move.
