> At a Glance
> – Nicolás Maduro and wife Cilia Flores arraigned in Manhattan federal court Monday
> – Judge Alvin Hellerstein, 92, takes the case after six-year delay
> – Charges stem from 2018 U.S. narco-terrorism indictment
> – Why it matters: First court appearance for ousted Venezuelan leader could reshape extradition politics
Manhattan’s federal courthouse became the stage for a diplomatic earthquake Monday as Nicolás Maduro-flown in from a Brooklyn jail-stood before Judge Alvin Hellerstein to answer narco-terrorism charges that have shadowed him since 2018.
The Arraignment
Maduro and Cilia Flores arrived in a detention convoy ahead of rush hour. Cameras captured the former president offering a thumbs-up to news helicopters while marshals escorted him into the courthouse.
Hellerstein, who has spent nearly three decades on the federal bench, read the charges and set the case schedule in under 30 minutes.
A Judge with a Headline History
The 92-year-old Clinton appointee has handled:
- The 9/11 victims’ litigation against airlines and insurers
- Sudanese genocide asset-freeze disputes
- Donald Trump’s failed bid to move his hush-money case from state to federal court
He assumed senior status in 2011, keeping a reduced docket while clearing space for new appointments.
What Comes Next
Maduro’s co-defendants-already under Hellerstein’s supervision-have pleaded not guilty. No trial date has been set; the judge gave prosecutors and defense counsel 45 days to file joint status reports.
Key Takeaways
- First U.S. court appearance for Nicolás Maduro after six years on the run
- Judge Alvin Hellerstein, veteran of 9/11 and Trump cases, will preside
- Charges carry mandatory minimums that could mean life imprisonment if convicted
- Diplomatic ripple effects likely as Venezuela refuses to recognize the proceeding
The arraignment marks the opening round in a case that blends international politics, drug enforcement and judicial endurance-all inside one Manhattan courtroom.
