Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro has entered the next stage of “clarification” drama on Monday.
Maduro was flown by helicopter to his first court hearing in New York https://t.co/w0Plboi8Rk by using @YouTube
— Nikarama (@nickaramaOG) January 5, 2026
The ousted Venezuelan president and his wife arrived in Manhattan federal court to face a judge today on narco-terrorism charges.
The armored car carrying Nicolas Maduro and Celia Flores turned into a secure area near the courthouse shortly before 7:45 a.m.
During the transport, dozens of heavily armed DEA officers and New York City police officers filled the streets.
They hid him in an armored car to take him to court.
It's one hell of a crime ride.
BREAKING: Nicolas Maduro is surrounded by heavy security as he is taken to a New York court before his arraignment. pic.twitter.com/2EqrMrNKxe
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 5, 2026
Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores touch down in Manhattan this morning as the ousted Venezuelan leader prepares for his first court appearance on charges of narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking and money laundering.
📸: REUTERS pic.twitter.com/sDBfns15ol
— Katelyn Caralle (@Katelyn_Caralle) January 5, 2026
Maduro faces four counts of indictment indictmentlike my colleague Susie Moore explained.
- Count I – Narco-terrorist conspiracy
- Count II – Conspiracy to Import Cocaine
- Count III – Possession of machine guns and destructive devices
- Count IV – Conspiracy to Possess Machine Guns and Destructive Devices
The rest have also been charged. Flores was not charged with the first count, but was charged with the remaining three counts. As Susie explained, each charge carries significant penalties.
READ MORE: Let's take a closer look at Maduro's indictment
The case is now appointed to U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, a 92-year-old judge appointed by Bill Clinton.
The native New Yorker has led numerous cases involving the 9/11 terrorist attacks and other national security matters.
We already have jokers joking that he might decide to send him back to Venezuela.
Maduro will be represented by longtime Big Apple criminal lawyer David Wickstrom, The Post has confirmed.
It is unclear whether the court-appointed lawyer will continue to represent the ousted leader in future court hearings.
Maduro was captured on Saturday after the Trump administration's stunning Operation Absolute Resolve effort to free him and his wife from Caracas.
READ MORE: White House releases major 'Find Out' video on Maduro, showing stark contrast to Biden's failure
“Night Stalkers” over Caracas: how US special forces carried out the perfect raid
The US captured it within hours without losing a single man, but it caused Democrats to go crazy and attack President Donald Trump for taking military action to get him, despite everything they themselves had previously said about Maduro. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he wasn't old, but it helped prevent leaks that could have ruined the mission. Schumer then gave a perfect example of why this was a great move by the Trump administration.
READ MORE: Rubio Shatters Democrats' Venezuela Narrative While Mocking Kamala Harris
Oops: Schumer's “Open your mouth, put your foot in” moment as Democratic hypocrisy hits Venezuela
RedState will keep you posted on any new developments in this case.
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