Venezuela’s Ex-President Maduro Faces Historic U.S. Trial as 92-Year-Old Judge Presides Over Narcotics Case

The U.S. criminal case against former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is advancing in Manhattan federal court before one of the judiciary’s oldest and most unconventional jurists: 92-year-old U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, a Clinton-era appointee known for his demanding demeanor and insistence on swift legal proceedings.

Maduro appeared Monday in the Southern District of New York and entered a plea of not guilty to charges alleging narco-terrorism and cocaine-trafficking conspiracy, according to court filings and prosecutors’ records. The appearance followed the unsealing of a superseding indictment that expands upon allegations first filed in 2020, part of an ongoing investigation into Venezuelan officials and transnational drug trafficking networks.

During his courtroom appearance, Maduro adopted a defiant stance, contesting the legitimacy of his capture and prosecution. Outside the courthouse, demonstrators gathered, underscoring the politically charged environment surrounding what U.S. authorities describe as one of its most significant prosecutions of a foreign leader in recent decades.

Hellerstein’s assignment has drawn particular attention due to his age, though legal professionals who have worked with him describe a judge prepared to challenge delays and enforce rigorous standards on attorneys. In complex matters, he is known for compelling testimony to avoid repetition and streamline proceedings. Former prosecutors and defense counsel have noted Hellerstein’s independence, willingness to make unpopular rulings without external influence, and decades of experience handling politically sensitive litigation—including cases stemming from the Sept. 11 attacks and disputes involving former President Donald Trump.

The updated indictment charges Maduro and co-defendants with using Venezuelan government authority for over a decade to facilitate massive cocaine shipments into the United States, collaborating with transnational criminal organizations and armed groups. Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, was also charged and entered a plea of not guilty Monday. Prosecutors allege the defendants employed violence and intimidation to protect trafficking operations—a pattern that could result in life sentences if proven.

Maduro’s defense is anticipated to challenge the case on multiple grounds, including arguments over his legal seizure and claims of immunity as head-of-state. Prosecutors counter that U.S. authorities do not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader following disputed elections. Legal observers cite the 1990s prosecution of former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega—a case similarly contested by a captured leader—as a historical parallel, though Noriega was ultimately convicted after years in trial.

The case has been assigned to Hellerstein through a long-standing court connection dating back to 2011, meaning he has gained familiarity with aspects of the broader investigation over more than a decade. His role has intensified scrutiny as he navigates this complex proceeding—one that could redefine U.S. legal approaches toward prosecuting foreign leaders in domestic courts.