Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is set to make his first appearance on Monday in an American courtroom on the narco-terrorism charges the Trump administration used to justify capturing him and bringing him to New York on Saturday.
Mr. Maduro and his wife were transferred via prison van and helicopter to Manhattan federal court, where they are expected to appear at noon before a judge for a brief but required legal proceeding that will likely kick off a prolonged legal fight over whether he can be put on trial in the US.
As a criminal defendant in the US legal system, Mr. Maduro will have the same rights as any other person accused of a crime, including the right to trial by jury of regular New Yorkers.
Maduro’s lawyers are expected to contest the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of state.