New York, Jan 5 (NationPress) Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro appeared in a federal court on Monday to confront charges of narco-terrorism following his capture by US forces in his homeland.

Maduro and his spouse, Cilio Flores, were brought to the courthouse from the infamous Metropolitan Detention Centre (MDC), where they were transported via helicopter to Manhattan and escorted heavily to the court.

The federal court has scheduled their initial appearance for noon in front of Alvin Hellerstein.

During the hearing, they will be represented by David Wikstrom, a court-appointed attorney. They may later choose to engage private counsel.

Both individuals are anticipated to plead not guilty to the charges at this hearing, where the judge will also deliberate on their ongoing detention.

It is highly improbable that bail will be considered for them, which is typically the procedure for high-profile cases, leading to their continued custody.

In the MDC, Maduro and Flores were kept separately and in solitary confinement.

Due to significant security concerns, officials bypassed the bridges and tunnels linking Manhattan, where the court is situated, and Brooklyn, home to the MDC, opting instead for a helicopter ride to a helipad near the courthouse.

Numerous individuals, both supporters and detractors, gathered outside the court in the freezing weather, waving Venezuelan flags and holding signs, while police erected barricades to maintain order.

The primary allegations against them include a narco-terrorism conspiracy for reportedly trafficking large amounts of cocaine into the US, utilizing Venezuelan military and intelligence to safeguard drug shipments and operate secret airstrips.

Additionally, they face serious charges of possessing machine guns and destructive devices, as well as conspiracy to possess these, which would bolster the narco-terrorism claims.

The most severe penalties for some of the charges against Maduro could include the death penalty.

He also faces accusations of money laundering and corruption linked to the financial gains from drug operations.

Switzerland has declared it will freeze his assets located there.

Wikstrom is a prominent defense attorney known for representing international drug traffickers.

One of his previous clients was the brother of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was convicted of drug trafficking and conspiracy but was recently pardoned by Trump.

In a swift operation, Maduro and his wife were apprehended by US forces at a heavily secured military base in Venezuela on Saturday morning and subsequently transported to New York City.

Trump mentioned that the trial could occur in New York or be moved to Florida, which has the largest Venezuelan expatriate community in the US.

The MDC, where Maduro and Flores are detained, is notorious; a federal judge stated in 2024 that the conditions at the MDC warranted “exceptional reasons” for not remanding an individual there.

This facility has housed infamous figures such as Omar Abdel Rahman, Ramzi Yousef, arms trafficker Viktor Bout, drug lord Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzman, financial fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried, and rapper Sean 'Diddy' Combs.

Notably, Jeffrey Epstein, connected to numerous powerful politicians and celebrities, was found dead there, with officials declaring it a suicide.

Among Maduro's fellow inmates is Luigi Mangione, on trial for the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who has garnered a reputation as a folk hero.