A U.S. federal judge has fixed June 1, 2027, for the trial of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who face multiple drug trafficking and narcoterrorism charges after their capture by U.S. forces earlier this year.
A United States federal court has scheduled June 1, 2027, as the trial date for Venezuela’s ousted president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a high-profile criminal case involving allegations of narcoterrorism and international drug trafficking.
The date was fixed on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein during a hearing in Manhattan, where the couple appeared in court wearing prison uniforms. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Charges Against Maduro and Flores
U.S. prosecutors allege that Maduro and Flores conspired with drug trafficking organisations and used the Venezuelan state apparatus to facilitate the movement of large quantities of cocaine into the United States.
The indictment includes charges of narcoterrorism, drug trafficking conspiracy, and related offences. If convicted, both could face life imprisonment under U.S. law.
Defence to Challenge Case
Maduro’s lead attorney, Barry Pollack, told the court that the defence intends to seek dismissal of the indictment, arguing that Maduro enjoyed sovereign immunity as Venezuela’s head of state.
The legal team is also expected to challenge the legality of the U.S. military operation that resulted in the couple’s capture in January 2026, describing it as unlawful. Prosecutors, however, maintain that the operation was a legitimate law enforcement action.
Court Sets Pre-Trial Timetable
Judge Hellerstein directed both parties to begin filing pre-trial motions in September 2026, with hearings expected later in the year.
The court also indicated that some evidence may involve classified materials, which could require additional legal proceedings before the trial begins in June 2027.
Maduro and Flores were taken into U.S. custody following a January 2026 operation that dramatically altered Venezuela’s political landscape.
Since their arrest, the couple has remained in detention in New York while awaiting trial. The case has attracted global attention because of its diplomatic implications and the unprecedented prosecution of a former foreign head of state in a U.S. court.