Overview
- Nicolás Maduro was arrested, transferred to New York, and is set for an initial hearing in federal court in Manhattan today.
- The case has been placed before Judge Alvin Hellerstein, a veteran SDNY jurist known for rigorous procedure and methodical case management.
- Federal prosecutors are pursuing multiple counts that include narcotrafficking and corruption, with some offenses described as terrorism-related.
- Hellerstein, appointed in 1998, has presided over high-profile matters such as 9/11-related litigation and has issued notable rulings showing independence from the current administration.
- Observers expect a lengthy, technically complex process with significant diplomatic repercussions, and the opening session is expected to set the litigation schedule.