(March 26): Nicolás Maduro is set to return to a Manhattan federal court on Thursday as the US pushes forward with a broad drug-trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracy case against the ousted Venezuelan leader that’s loaded with regional and geopolitical implications. Thursday’s in-person court appearance will be the first since Jan 5 for Maduro, 63, and his wife, Cilia Flores, 69, who was also charged in the case. He said the US is unconstitutionally violating Maduro’s right to the counsel of his choice, requiring dismissal of the case. Maduro and Flores remain free to use their own money to pay lawyers, the US said in a court filing. The case is US v Maduro, 11-cr-00205, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

Source: The Edge Markets March 26, 2026 12:44 UTC