NEW YORK: Nicolás Maduro, the deposed president of Venezuela, was brought to a New York court on Monday to face serious drug trafficking charges.
The charges, which have been a focal point of U.S.-Venezuela tensions for years, involve Maduro’s alleged role in a large-scale drug trafficking operation that shipped illicit drugs, including cocaine, from Venezuela to the United States and beyond.
Maduro, who served as Venezuela’s leader from 2013 until he was captured and brought to New York by U.S. military, is facing multiple charges under U.S. federal law, including conspiracy to import narcotics into the U.S.
Prosecutors claim that Maduro and his associates orchestrated a sophisticated network with Colombian insurgent groups, which significantly contributed to the global drug trade.
“This case is about holding accountable those who have enabled the trafficking of dangerous substances across borders, regardless of their position or country of origin,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. The legal proceedings in New York are expected to unfold over the coming weeks with the government seeking to prove that Maduro was a central figure in the operation.
Maduro’s capture by the U.S. has sparked a diplomatic firestorm at the United Nations, where member states have begun an intense debate over the legality of the U.S. action. Several Latin American countries, including Bolivia and Nicaragua, have strongly condemned the U.S. for what they view as an infringement on Venezuela’s sovereignty.
“This is a blatant violation of Venezuela’s rights as a sovereign nation,” said Bolivia’s Ambassador to the U.N., Maria Morales.
Meanwhile, the U.S. delegation has argued that Maduro’s actions had posed a serious threat to regional security, and that international justice must be pursued to hold him accountable for his alleged crimes.
“Maduro’s regime has destabilized the region, and he must answer for his role in facilitating the global drug trade,” said U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
Maduro had denied the charges, labeling them as politically motivated. His defense team has suggested that his capture by the U.S. was part of a broader effort to undermine Venezuela’s government and leadership. Supporters of the former president had gathered outside the courthouse, calling the trial a politically driven “show trial” and denouncing U.S. intervention in Venezuelan affairs.
