Venezuelan opposition leaders' U.S. hearing postponed to July 22

A U.S. federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York asked Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein to move the criminal trial of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from June 30 to July 22. The request cited logistical and security concerns around providing safe transportation for the defendants. Both the prosecution and defense agreed, and the judge granted the postponement, allowing prosecutors more time to present evidence and the defense to review it before trial.

Maduro and Flores were detained in January after a U.S.-ordered military operation in Venezuela and face charges of narco‑terrorism, drug‑export conspiracies and weapons violations. They have pleaded not guilty. In related developments, the U.S. Treasury issued limited licenses that ease some sanctions on Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA, airline Conviasa and telecom services, though core restrictions remain in place.