Jan 4, 2026 - Politics & Policy

Maduro's first federal court appearance set for Monday

Avery Lotz

Interior of a federal courtroom inside the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in Manhattan. — An interior view of a federal courtroom at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan U.S. Courthouse in Manhattan, home to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, on June 6, 2025. Photo: Jefferson Siegel/Pool/AFP

Captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro is scheduled to make his first appearance in federal court Monday, two days after U.S. forces seized the strongman and his wife.

The big picture: Monday's appearance will be largely procedural, but it kicks off what will likely be a protracted legal battle.

Driving the news: The proceeding will take place at noon ET in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, a courthouse spokesperson confirmed.

Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores, is expected to appear with him, multiple outlets reported.
U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, a Clinton appointee, will oversee the appearance.

Catch up quick: After his stunning seizure, Maduro was reportedly taken to Metropolitan Detention Center, a federal jail in Brooklyn known for housing high-profile prisoners.

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Maduro's first federal court appearance set for Monday

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