Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Maduro and Wife Appear in NY Court, Deny Drug Charges

7/23/2026

43 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a New York court on Wednesday, expected to continue objecting to U.S. action that seized him and his wife.
He and his wife Cilia Flores have been held in a Brooklyn jail since early January after a raid on their Caracas home.
Both have pleaded not guilty to drug-trafficking charges and face life imprisonment if a jury finds them part of a cocaine-smuggling conspiracy.

1 of 1

Story summary

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a New York court on Wednesday, expected to continue objecting to U.S. action that seized him and his wife.
He and his wife Cilia Flores have been held in a Brooklyn jail since early January after a raid on their Caracas home.
Both have pleaded not guilty to drug-trafficking charges and face life imprisonment if a jury finds them part of a cocaine-smuggling conspiracy.