# U.S. trial date set for Maduro, Flores > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/maduro-and-flores-detention-outreach > Updated: 2026-07-21T23:00:21.000Z. Sources: 264. Developments: 9. The U.S. federal court in Manhattan has formally scheduled the criminal trial of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and former first lady Cilia Floors to open on 1 June 2027. The decision, confirmed during a brief pre‑trial hearing on 22 July 2026, follows their capture in Caracas on 3 January 2026 and transfer to the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center. The court approved the procedural calendar previously outlined by Judge Alvin Hellerstein: the defense will file its first motions in September 2026, a hearing on those motions is set for 17 November 2026, and prosecutors must complete evidence exchange—including classified material—by late 2026. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to four felony counts, including narco‑terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and possession of assault weapons and explosives. Their lawyer, Barry Pollack, will argue sovereign‑head‑of‑state immunity and contest the legality of the raid. If convicted, each faces a potential life sentence. Small protests by supporters and opponents were observed outside the courthouse, which remains under heavy police security. The trial proceeds amid heightened U.S.–Venezuela tensions and ongoing debates over the reach of U.S. criminal jurisdiction over foreign leaders. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-21: US sets June 2027 trial for Venezuela's ex‑president Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores U.S. Judge Alvin Hellerstein scheduled the June 1 2027 trial of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores on drug‑trafficking and weapons charges, with the defense citing sovereign immunity. 230 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nicols-maduro-and-cilia-flores-appear-before-manhattan-federal-court-in-drugtrafficking-case ### 2026-07-14: Nicolás Maduro ordered to pay $314 million for U.S. citizens' torture U.S. judge orders former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, Alex Saab and other officials to pay $314 million to three Americans tortured in Venezuela, deeming the detentions acts of international terrorism. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-court-orders-nicols-maduro-to-pay-314-million-for-torture-of-american-detainees ### 2026-07-02: U.S. Court Hears New Lawsuit Accusing Nicolás Maduro of Extrajudicial Executions Venezuelan families sued Nicolás Maduro in a New York court, claiming he ordered FAES to execute and torture six youths from 2017‑2021 and seeking compensation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-court-hears-new-lawsuit-accusing-nicols-maduro-of-extrajudicial-executions ### 2026-06-20: Venezuelan opposition leaders' U.S. hearing postponed to July 22 U.S. judge delays Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores trial to July 22 for logistical reasons; prosecutors gain extra time, while the pair remain under narco‑terrorism charges. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-opposition-leaders-us-hearing-postponed-to-july-22 ### 2026-06-18: Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores hearing postponed to July 22 in New York U.S. federal court delays former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores’s hearing to July 22, citing transport and security issues; they remain detained in New York on narcoterrorism charges. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nicols-maduro-and-cilia-flores-hearing-postponed-to-july-22-in-new-york ### 2026-06-16: Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores' U.S. trial hearing postponed to July 22 U.S. District Court in New York has moved the hearing for ex‑president Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores from June 30 to July 22, 2026, citing logistical and security concerns. The delay allows extra time for the 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maduro-and-flores-hearing-delayed-to-july-22-in-new-york-court ### 2026-06-15: Nicolás Maduro shares faith‑based message of hope to Venezuelans and the world Nicolás Maduro posted a June 14, 2026 faith‑based message from a New York detention centre, urging Venezuelans and global audiences to draw strength from the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nicols-maduro-shares-faithbased-message-of-hope-to-venezuelans-and-the-world ### 2026-06-07: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro issues message of faith and unity Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro posted a Telegram message on June 7, invoking biblical passages to call for faith, solidarity and community, and noted his upcoming New York court appearance with wife Cilia 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelan-president-nicols-maduro-sends-faithbased-message-to-nation ### 2026-05-24: Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores call for peace from US detention Maduro and Cilia Flores, detained in New York, posted a Pentecost call for peace, unity and wisdom, thanking supporters as they await a June 30 court hearing on U.S. terrorism and drug charges. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venezuelas-maduro-and-cilia-flores-urge-faith-unity-on-pentecost --- Cite as: U.S. trial date set for Maduro, Flores. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/maduro-and-flores-detention-outreach