Maduro's trial in New York postponed to March 26: Full details
The U.S. Federal Court in New York announced the postponement of the next hearing in the trial of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro , which was initially scheduled for March 17, until March 26. This decision came in response to a request from the prosecution, which was accepted by the defense. The prosecution cited "planning and logistical issues" that prevented the hearing from being held on the originally scheduled date, without providing further details about the nature of these obstacles.
Background to the controversial trial and arrest
This legal development comes in the wake of dramatic events in US-Venezuelan relations, represented by a US military operation inside Venezuelan territory that led to Maduro's arrest in January 2026. Maduro (63 years old) appeared for the first time before the US judiciary on January 5, just two days after his arrest, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges against him related to drug trafficking and leading a criminal organization, maintaining that he is a "prisoner of war" and enjoys presidential immunity, a line of defense that is expected to form the focus of the legal argument in the upcoming sessions.
Celia Flores in the dock
The indictment didn't stop with the ousted president; it also included his wife, Celia Flores (69), known as "The First Fighter." Flores appeared in court, also pleading not guilty to the charges against her. She is scheduled to appear again alongside her husband on March 26, adding a complex family and political dimension to this historic trial, which is being closely followed by the international media.
The political landscape in Venezuela after Maduro
Maduro's arrest cast a long shadow over the domestic scene in Caracas, ending a rule that began in March 2013 and was characterized by an iron fist and severe economic and political tensions. In the sudden presidential vacuum, Delcy Rodríguez , who had served as vice president since 2018, assumed the duties of acting president. Rodríguez faces enormous challenges in managing the country amidst this political turmoil and attempting to maintain the cohesion of the regime in the absence of its head.
International and regional dimensions
This trial holds exceptional significance that transcends legal boundaries, as it represents a rare precedent for a foreign head of state to be tried in US courts on charges related to "narco-terrorism." The international community, particularly Latin American countries, is closely watching the outcome of this trial, which could redraw the geopolitical map of the region and directly impact the future of relations between Washington and Caracas, as well as global energy markets given Venezuela's status as a major oil producer.
