Maduro Arrives at Manhattan Federal Court for Hearing...Escorted by Helicopter and Armored Vehicle

Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela, arriving at the Manhattan heliport in New York on the 5th (local time) to appear in court. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News.

Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela, who was extradited to the United States, arrived at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan on January 5 (local time) for his first court appearance.

According to CNN and other outlets, President Maduro had been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, and was transported by helicopter to a heliport near the courthouse on the morning of January 5.

Heavily armed forces were seen escorting President Maduro, who appeared to be handcuffed, along with his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple was transported to the courthouse in an armored vehicle.

The Maduro couple is scheduled to go through an arraignment at noon Eastern Time on January 5 (2 a.m. on January 6, Korea Standard Time). This marks the first time President Maduro, who was indicted during the first Trump administration in 2020 on charges of drug trafficking, money laundering, and so-called "narco-terrorism," is appearing in a U.S. court.

The trial will be presided over by Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who is 92 years old this year. Judge Hellerstein has overseen drug-related cases involving President Maduro for more than a decade.

The Maduro couple was arrested on January 3 at a safe house in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, by U.S. military and Department of Justice officials during a swift military operation, and subsequently extradited to New York.