What to know about Nicolas Maduro's capture and NYC court appearance today
Briefly

What to know about Nicolas Maduro's capture and NYC court appearance today
"Nicolás Maduro, the dethroned Venezuelan leader indicted on major drug trafficking and weapons charges, is expected in a federal court in New York on Monday for his arraignment, days after American forces captured him inside Venezuela's presidential palace. The hearing, scheduled for noon in Manhattan, will mark the first court appearance for Maduro since his capture. His wife, Cilia Flores, who was arrested during the same operation, is also expected in court."
"President Donald Trump announced Maduro's capture over the weekend, releasing a photograph of him in custody and declaring that the United States would temporarily take control of Venezuela following his removal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later sought to clarify those remarks, saying the U.S. would not manage Venezuela's day-to-day affairs but would continue enforcing an oil quarantine and sanctions as leverage to press for policy changes, including efforts to curb drug trafficking."
"Maduro faces four federal charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons offenses involving machine guns and destructive devices, according to court records. Prosecutors allege Maduro led a criminal enterprise that worked with Colombian armed groups to traffic cocaine into the United States and used military-grade weapons to protect those operations. They say Flores was part of the conspiracy."
Nicolás Maduro was captured inside Venezuela's presidential palace and is scheduled for arraignment in federal court in Manhattan. Cilia Flores, arrested during the same operation, is expected to appear in court and has held senior government roles. U.S. officials announced the capture and indicated a temporary U.S. role in Venezuela, while clarifying that day-to-day governance would not be assumed; sanctions and an oil quarantine will be enforced as leverage. Maduro faces four federal charges including narco-terrorism, cocaine importation and weapons offenses. Prosecutors allege collaboration with Colombian armed groups to traffic cocaine and use military-grade weapons; both defendants deny the allegations.
Read at FOX 5 New York
Unable to calculate read time
[
|
]