Overview
- Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, issued their first signed public message Saturday from federal custody in New York, urging peace, national unity and reconciliation in Venezuela.
- On Sunday they released a second, faith‑themed letter for Palm Sunday, shared by their son, calling for forgiveness and renewed dialogue across the country.
- Following Thursday’s Manhattan hearing, Judge Alvin Hellerstein kept the case intact, questioned the national‑security basis for freezing Venezuelan funds, and said he will rule on whether those funds can pay defense fees.
- Key pretrial disputes now center on funding for counsel and the defense’s access to confidential DEA reports, with prosecutors warning about risks to witnesses and the defense pressing for broader review.
- The pair remain jailed in Brooklyn on narcoterrorism and drug‑trafficking charges, as Venezuelan interim authorities move to restore diplomatic ties in Washington, a track that could affect decisions around frozen state assets.