US judge sets 2027 trial date for Maduro and Venezuelan woman | Nicolas Maduro News

Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro denies drug charges; A lawyer wants to challenge the legality of US military operations.

A judge in the United States has set a trial date for the former president of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, were both kidnapped in the South American country during the US war in January 2026.

Judge Alvin Hellerstein set a trial date for Wednesday, June 1, 2027. Both Maduro and Flores have pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges while denying legal recognition. a case.

He did not speak during the 15-minute court hearing. The administration of US President Donald Trump has justified his military attack on Caracas in January and the arrest of the family, many. so-called illegal and international legal experts, saying that Maduro was part of a conspiracy to sell cocaine to the US as head of state.

“I am innocent. I am a good person, the president of my country,” Maduro said in January.

Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, said he hopes to challenge the legality of the military’s arrest and extradition to the US. for the case. He said Wednesday that he would contest the case in self-defense, which, if successful, would mean Maduro would no longer have to stand trial.

Neither Maduro nor Flores asked for bail, and Judge Hellerstein set a trial date for next year at the request of lawyers for both sides.

Maduro faces four charges, including one count of “narco-terrorism” and one count of importing cocaine, and could face life in prison if convicted. The Trump administration has often used concerns about drug trafficking to project its power in many countries Latin America.

The Trump administration has called for an attack on Venezuela, which Venezuelan officials he is said to have killed 83 people, a “forced operation of operatives” in the first case filed six years ago.

Venezuela’s leadership has been filled by President Delcy Rodriguez, who has aligned the country with US interests.