DOJ Narco-Terror Case Against Maduro Advances After Dropping 'Cartel de Los Soles' Leadership Claim

Overview

• Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court on January 5 and remains in custody in Brooklyn, with the next hearing set for March 17 under Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
• A revised U.S. Justice Department filing removed the assertion that Maduro led the 'Cartel de Los Soles' but maintained multiple counts, including narcoterrorism and cocaine trafficking conspiracies and weapons offenses.
• Delcy Rodríguez was installed as interim president in Caracas, and authorities detained 14 journalists during her inauguration, inspected their devices, and deported one reporter before releasing the others.
• Financial markets tracked geopolitical risk as oil prices and gold rose and equities showed mixed moves, following President Donald Trump’s statements rejecting Venezuelan elections in the next 30 days and suggesting subsidies for energy firms to rebuild output.
• In Brazil, the Workers’ Party filed a civil suit seeking R$30,000 against Deputy Paulo Bilynskyj over a video linking the party and President Lula to Venezuelan narcotrafficking.