In a dramatic turn of events that has captured international attention, ousted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro appeared in a Manhattan federal courtroom on January 5, 2026, facing sweeping U.S. charges of narco-terrorism and cocaine-importation conspiracy. The high-profile case, which also implicates his wife and former first lady, Cilia Flores, is already shaping up to be a legal and political saga, with some of the country’s most prominent criminal defense attorneys at the helm.
According to Bloomberg Law, Maduro has retained Barry Pollack, a renowned Washington-based trial lawyer with over three decades of experience in defending high-profile and controversial figures. Pollack is perhaps best known for his long-term representation of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, a legal battle that spanned nearly 15 years and culminated in a 2024 plea agreement that secured Assange’s release. Pollack’s appointment signals Maduro’s intent to mount a vigorous and multifaceted defense against the U.S. government’s charges.
The charges against Maduro and several associates, unsealed in a superseding indictment on January 3, are nothing short of staggering: narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. U.S. prosecutors allege that, for over 25 years, Maduro and other Venezuelan officials abused their positions to facilitate the flow of cocaine into the U.S., providing logistical support to major drug cartels such as the Sinaloa Cartel and even selling diplomatic passports to traffickers to shield their movements. The case, officially titled USA v. Carvajal-Barrios, is being overseen by District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, a 92-year-old jurist known for his independence (as reported by Hindustan Times).
Maduro’s journey to the U.S. courtroom was as dramatic as the charges themselves. As reported by CNN and Hindustan Times, he was brought to New York following a U.S. military operation in Caracas—an event that has fueled debate over the legality and political motivations of his apprehension. During the court proceedings, Maduro was unflinching in his defense. Addressing the judge through an interpreter, he declared, “I am innocent. I am not guilty of anything that is mentioned here.” His wife, Cilia Flores, echoed his words, stating, “Not guilty. Completely innocent,” after confirming her identity to the court. Judge Hellerstein formally entered not guilty pleas for both defendants.
Representing Cilia Flores is Mark Donnelly, a veteran Houston federal prosecutor and former Justice Department official. Donnelly, fluent in Spanish and with a background in white-collar criminal defense and real estate litigation, brings his own formidable experience to the case. According to Bloomberg Law, Donnelly previously served as a senior adviser to the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas and played a role in the Texas House of Representatives’ investigation into Attorney General Ken Paxton’s alleged abuse of office.
The legal battle ahead promises to be complex and politically charged. Pollack, who filed his notice of appearance on January 5, immediately raised the stakes by signaling that he would challenge the legality of Maduro’s military abduction and question the case’s jurisdiction. He argued that his client is “head of a sovereign state and entitled to the privilege” that such a status provides—hinting at a possible defense based on sovereign immunity. “There will be voluminous pretrial filings,” Pollack warned, suggesting that the defense will contest not only the substance of the charges but also the manner in which Maduro was brought to trial.
Pollack’s credentials are formidable. As detailed by Times Now and Hindustan Times, he is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, and a former president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Chambers USA has described him as a “thorough and deep-thinking lawyer” who “lives, breathes and sleeps trials.” His notable victories include securing a rare full acquittal for a former Enron executive in the wake of the company’s historic collapse, negotiating the release of Julian Assange, and overturning wrongful murder convictions, such as the Martin Tankleff case, which resulted in $13.4 million in compensation for the exonerated client.
Pollack’s pro bono work has also earned him accolades, including the Defender of Innocence Award and the Gideon Champion of Justice Award. He is currently a partner at Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler, a boutique firm specializing in white-collar defense, which expanded its presence to Washington, D.C., in 2023. His teaching role as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center further cements his reputation as a leader in the field of federal criminal trial practice.
The U.S. government’s case against Maduro is built on years of investigation and alleges a pattern of corruption and criminal activity at the highest levels of Venezuelan leadership. Prosecutors claim that Maduro and his associates systematically abused their public offices to enrich themselves and facilitate international drug trafficking. The indictment’s references to providing logistical support to drug cartels and selling diplomatic passports to traffickers are particularly damning, painting a picture of a government complicit in organized crime.
For Maduro and Flores, the stakes could not be higher. If convicted, they face lengthy prison sentences and the loss of any remaining political legitimacy. Yet, as Pollack’s involvement suggests, the defense will not go down without a fight. Sovereign immunity, questions about the legality of Maduro’s capture, and allegations of selective or vindictive prosecution are all likely to feature prominently in pretrial motions and courtroom arguments.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March 17, 2026, giving both sides time to prepare for what promises to be a legal battle watched closely not only in the United States and Venezuela but around the world. The case is already drawing comparisons to other high-profile international prosecutions and is likely to test the limits of U.S. extraterritorial law enforcement and diplomatic norms.
With a legal team led by a man who has made a career out of winning the unwinnable, and prosecutors determined to hold a foreign leader accountable for alleged crimes on American soil, the trial of Nicolás Maduro is set to be one of the most closely watched court cases in recent memory. As the world waits for the next chapter, all eyes remain fixed on Manhattan’s federal courthouse, where law, politics, and international relations are about to collide in spectacular fashion.
