Nicolás Maduro to face US trial on drug trafficking and terrorism charges

From Caracas to a New York courtroom: Maduro’s dramatic arrest sets the stage for a historic trial. Will evidence tie him to the Cartel of the Suns?

, and Administrator

2026 January 3 . 11:17 PM

1 min read

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USA Want to Prosecute Maduro for Drug Trafficking and Terrorism - Nicolás Maduro to face US trial on drug trafficking and terrorism charges

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro faces an upcoming trial in the United States on drug trafficking and terrorism charges. He was arrested on 3 January 2026 during a US military operation in Venezuela. The case, led by the Southern District of New York, marks the latest step in long-standing accusations against him.

The US Department of Justice first charged Maduro with narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation in 2020. Officials allege he led drug trafficking operations for the Cartel of the Suns, a powerful Venezuelan network. These claims have now led to formal indictments against both Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

US Attorney General Pamela Bondi and Senator Marco Rubio confirmed the impending trial, though no exact court date has been announced. The proceedings will take place in New York, where prosecutors plan to present evidence linking Maduro to large-scale drug and terrorism activities.

Maduro’s arrest followed a coordinated US military operation inside Venezuela. The details of his capture remain classified, but officials have described it as a targeted effort to bring him to trial.

The trial will determine whether Maduro and Flores are convicted on the charges brought by US authorities. A guilty verdict could result in lengthy prison sentences under American law. The case also raises questions about future US-Venezuela relations and the broader fight against international drug trafficking.