Maduro, US prosecutors propose June 2027 start for drug trafficking trial

On July 14, Gayles entered $314 million in default judgments against former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Colombian businessman Alex Saab, five other former Venezuelan officials, and the Cartel de los Soles under the federal Anti-Terrorism Act, but declined to rule on the claims against Rodriguez.

Nicolás Maduro returns to court with his lawyers Wednesday and is expected to continue objecting to the US military action that snatched the Venezuelan president from power and deposited him in New York to face drug trafficking charges.

A motorcade believed to be carrying former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro leaves a detention centre ahead of a pre-trial hearing in Brooklyn, 22 July 2026.

July 22's hearing is expected to largely focus on procedural matters.