Federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein ordered on Monday that the second court appearance of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, will take place on March 17, after both already appeared for the first time before a U.S. court. The decision was made after the conclusion of the initial hearing held in the Southern District Court of New York (SDNY), just two days after the couple was transferred to the United States.
The first appearance, which lasted less than an hour, was primarily procedural in nature. In this type of initial hearing, the court verifies the identity of the accused, formally informs them of the charges against them and confirms their plea of guilty or innocence, without yet entering into the merits of the case or the presentation of evidence.
Date set for Maduro’s next hearing and his wife
Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives at a Manhattan heliport, as he heads towards a New York City courthouse for an initial appearance to face U.S. federal charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.
Follow live updates: https://t.co/XHvK4aCk1u pic.twitter.com/jVGlw9byZo
– ABC News (@ABC) January 5, 2026
During that session, Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to all charges they face.
Among those charges are conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the U.S., conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices, and other federal racketeering offenses.
In the case of Cilia Flores, the indictment accuses her of alleged participation in the coordination of meetings and logistics of the criminal network described by the prosecution.
The indictment against Nicolás Maduro was originally filed in 2020 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, but was recently expanded in both scope and number of charges.
Cilia Flores, who was not included in the initial file, was formally included for the first time.
This type of superseding indictment is common in complex organized crime prosecutions, when prosecutors consider that there are new elements or key persons that should be incorporated into the case.
Judge Hellerstein set the new date to allow the parties – prosecution and defense – sufficient time to review the expanded indictment.
As well as discuss preliminary aspects of the process and address issues such as motions, judicial calendar and eventual requests related to the detention and health of the accused.
The key role of the Southern District of New York
Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives at a Manhattan heliport, as he heads towards a New York City courthouse for an initial appearance to face U.S. federal charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.
Follow live updates: https://t.co/XHvK4aCk1u pic.twitter.com/jVGlw9byZo
– ABC News (@ABC) January 5, 2026
The SDNY is considered one of the most powerful and active federal courts in the United States.
He has jurisdiction over Manhattan, Wall Street and key areas of New York, and is known for handling high-profile cases involving terrorism, international drug trafficking, financial fraud and transnational organized crime.
This court has been the venue for emblematic trials against cartel leaders, former foreign officials and major figures in the financial world.
For the Hispanic reader living in the United States, this detail is key: the cases that come to the SDNY are usually highly documented.
With far-reaching investigations and cooperation between multiple federal agencies, such as the DEA, the FBI and the Department of Justice.
What’s next in the process
🚨 BREAKING: Maduro tells judge ‘I am innocent, I am not guilty,’ in court appearance on narco-trafficking charges pic.twitter.com/Pk2NnF2IdJ
– Fox News (@FoxNews) January 5, 2026
The March 17 hearing will not yet be the trial, but a new step in the preliminary phase of the case.
It could include legal motions, discussions about evidence, conditions of detention and the future schedule of the trial.
The formal start of the trial could take months, given the complexity of the charges and the magnitude of the file.
In the meantime, Maduro and Flores remain in federal custody in the United States, as the court continues to determine the next steps.
The case continues to generate international attention for its political, diplomatic and judicial implications, and will be closely watched both by the international community and by millions of Venezuelans inside and outside the country.
QuéOnnda will continue to report with verified data and clear context, so that the U.S. Hispanic community can understand what is at stake and how one of the most relevant judicial processes of recent years is progressing.
Filed under: Maduro’s next hearing
