Maduro is set to make his first appearance in a US courtroom on drug trafficking charges

"Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is set to make his first appearance Monday in an American courtroom on the narco-terrorism charges the Trump administration used to justify capturing him and bringing him to New York. Maduro and his wife are expected to appear at noon before a judge for a brief, but required, legal proceeding that will likely kick off a prolonged legal fight over whether he can be put on trial in the U.S."

"Maduro's lawyers are expected to contest the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of state. Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriegaunsuccessfully tried the same defense after the U.S. captured him in a similar military invasion in 1990. But the U.S. doesn't recognize Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate head of state particularly after a much-disputed 2024 reelection."

"Venezuela's new interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has demanded that the U.S. return Maduro, who long denied any involvement in drug trafficking although late Sunday she also struck a more conciliatory tone in a social media post, inviting collaboration with Trump and respectful relations with the U.S. Before his capture, Maduro and his allies claimed U.S. hostility was motivated by lust for Venezuela's rich oil and mineral resources."

Nicolas Maduro will make his first appearance in a U.S. courtroom on narco-terrorism charges after being seized and brought to New York. The initial proceeding is scheduled at noon and is expected to begin a prolonged legal fight over U.S. trial jurisdiction. Maduro retains standard criminal defendant rights, including a jury trial. His lawyers plan to contest the arrest's legality by asserting sovereign head-of-state immunity. The U.S. does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate head of state after a disputed 2024 reelection. Venezuela's interim president has demanded Maduro's return. U.S. forces captured Maduro and his wife in a military operation at their home on a military base, and Maduro long denied involvement in drug trafficking while allies accused U.S. motives of seeking Venezuela's resources.

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