Prosecutors from the U.S. Department of Justice and lawyers for ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro have proposed June 2027 as the start date for his trial in U.S. court, in a case where he faces drug trafficking charges, as part of a preliminary timeline awaiting approval from the federal court in New York.

According to media reports, the proposal was made in a joint memorandum submitted to the court ahead of a scheduled hearing today, Wednesday, before U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who is overseeing the case, while both parties confirmed that the proposed timeline may be subject to modification based on developments in the legal proceedings.

Legal Arguments to Dismiss the Case

According to the submitted documents, the defense team is set to file its first legal memorandum on September 2, which is expected to include a request to dismiss the case based on Maduro's claim of immunity as the president of a sovereign nation.

The parties also proposed that the defense submit a second set of legal requests by January 11, after the prosecution delivers any confidential evidence to the defense team for review.

Prolonged Political Disputes

During his first appearance in court on January 5, Maduro described himself as a "prisoner of war." In contrast, Washington describes Maduro as a "corrupt dictator," holding him responsible for the collapse of the Venezuelan economy, and accusing him of rigging the presidential elections held in 2018 and 2024. The United States has not recognized him as the legitimate president of Venezuela since 2019.

Prosecutors from the U.S. Department of Justice and lawyers for ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro have proposed June 2027 as the start date for his trial in U.S. court, in a case where he faces drug trafficking charges, as part of a preliminary timeline awaiting approval from the federal court in New York.

According to media reports, the proposal was made in a joint memorandum submitted to the court ahead of a scheduled hearing today, Wednesday, before U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who is overseeing the case, while both parties confirmed that the proposed timeline may be subject to modification based on developments in the legal proceedings.

Legal Arguments to Dismiss the Case

According to the submitted documents, the defense team is set to file its first legal memorandum on September 2, which is expected to include a request to dismiss the case based on Maduro's claim of immunity as the president of a sovereign nation.

The parties also proposed that the defense submit a second set of legal requests by January 11, after the prosecution delivers any confidential evidence to the defense team for review.

Prolonged Political Disputes

During his first appearance in court on January 5, Maduro described himself as a "prisoner of war." In contrast, Washington describes Maduro as a "corrupt dictator," holding him responsible for the collapse of the Venezuelan economy, and accusing him of rigging the presidential elections held in 2018 and 2024. The United States has not recognized him as the legitimate president of Venezuela since 2019.