Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are set to stand trial on June 1, 2027, according to a federal judge. The trial date was proposed by federal prosecutors and Maduro’s defense attorneys, who noted that the schedule may be adjusted due to potential complications, such as obtaining classified information.

Background

Maduro and his wife were captured in January after US forces engaged in an intense firefight with Venezuelan air defenses at their heavily fortified home in Caracas. They were then brought to New York, where they pleaded not guilty to gun and cocaine importation conspiracy charges that prosecutors allege span more than 25 years.

Maduro’s defense attorney, Barry Pollack, has indicated that he will challenge the legality of the arrest and argue that the former president should have immunity since the alleged conduct occurred while he was in office. The US Treasury Department has agreed to allow the Venezuelan government to fund Maduro’s defense without violating sanction laws.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.