# Legal proceedings against Nicolás Maduro in the UnitedStates

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/legal-proceedings-against-nicols-maduro-in-the-unitedstates
> Updated: 2026-09-11T00:01:22.000Z. Sources: 314. Developments: 5.

Following his arrest by U.S. forces in Caracas in January 2026, former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, remain in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Maduro faces federal charges in a Manhattan court, including narcoterrorism, cocaine importation, and possession of automatic weapons, with a trial tentatively scheduled for June 2027.

Maduro’s legal team, led by attorney Barry Pollack, is moving to have the case dismissed, challenging the jurisdiction of the New York court and arguing that Maduro possesses judicial immunity as a sovereign head of state. The defense has submitted motions seeking dismissal based on sovereign immunity and arguing that the charge of conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism is ‘improperly formulated under U.S. law’ because it involves a foreign citizen and conduct occurring outside the United States.

On September 11, 2026, legal counsel for Cilia Flores formally requested pre-trial release via home confinement in Manhattan, citing a severe decline in her health. Her defense team reported that the 69-year-old has suffered from worsening cardiac issues, including arrhythmias, shortness of breath, and a weight loss of over 24 pounds since her detention. Attorney Mark Donelly stated that Flores requires specialized care, potentially including cardiac catheterization and surgery, which the current detention facility cannot provide.

The proposed arrangement involves a private residence within the Southern District of New York under a strict security regime, including 24/7 armed guards, electronic monitoring, and the surrender of her passport. While the defense has offered to cover all associated costs, U.S. prosecutors have expressed opposition to the request. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein has ordered that Flores' medical records be sealed to protect her privacy, ruling that her interest in medical confidentiality outweighs the public's presumption of access.

## Claims

- Flores has experienced chest pain, arrhythmias, breathing difficulties, and lost over 11 kilograms since her detention. (disputed by 27 sources)
- The trial for Maduro is scheduled to begin in June 2027. (disputed by 23 sources)
- Flores has reportedly lost over 24 pounds during her period of confinement. (disputed by 4 sources)
- The U.S. military conducted an armed incursion in Venezuela on January 3 to capture Maduro. (corroborated by 33 sources)
- Maduro's defense filed two motions to dismiss the criminal case in a New York federal court. (corroborated by 29 sources)
- The defense argues Maduro is entitled to sovereign immunity because he was a de facto head of state during the alleged conduct. (corroborated by 29 sources)
- Maduro is accused of conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, cocaine importation, and possession of automatic weapons. (corroborated by 29 sources)
- A second motion requests the dismissal of the specific charge of conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism. (corroborated by 28 sources)
- Cilia Flores has requested house arrest in New York due to cardiac health issues. (corroborated by 27 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-11: Cilia Flores seeks US home detention citing worsening heart condition

Cilia Flores, wife of Nicolás Maduro, has requested home confinement in Manhattan, citing worsening heart conditions and the need for specialized medical care while awaiting trial in the U.S.

31 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cilia-flores-de-maduro-seeks-home-detention-in-us-citing-heart-condition

### 2026-09-08: Cilia Flores requests New York house arrest due to cardiac health concerns

Cilia Flores, wife of Nicolás Maduro, has requested house arrest in New York, citing serious cardiac health issues and requesting specialized medical care while awaiting trial.

52 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maduro-and-flores-defense-invoke-immunity-in-new-york-court

### 2026-09-03: Nicolás Maduro seeks dismissal of U.S. drug charges on immunity grounds

Defense lawyers for Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores have filed motions to dismiss drug trafficking charges in New York, citing sovereign immunity as a former head of state.

41 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nicols-maduros-defense-seeks-dismissal-of-us-charges-via-sovereign-immunity

### 2026-09-01: Maduro seeks dismissal of U.S. drug charges citing sovereign immunity

Nicolás Maduro's defense has requested a U.S. judge dismiss drug trafficking charges, citing sovereign immunity as a head of state. A hearing on the motions is set for November 17.

104 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maduro-defense-to-seek-dismissal-of-us-drug-trafficking-case

### 2026-08-30: Nicolás Maduro releases photos from New York detention center

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro released photos from his New York detention center, signaling resilience amid legal battles and a major new U.S.-Venezuela oil agreement.

143 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nicols-maduro-releases-photos-from-new-york-detention-center

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Cite as: Legal proceedings against Nicolás Maduro in the UnitedStates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/legal-proceedings-against-nicols-maduro-in-the-unitedstates
