by Avery Lotz at Axios
Ousted Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro faces his first day in a New York court Monday.
Why it matters: His historic case on the heels of the shocking U.S. operation that President Trump ordered to depose him will kick off what is expected to be a protracted legal battle with major geopolitical implications.
Driving the news: Maduro is being arraigned at a federal courthouse in Manhattan on charges of “Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy” and other alleged crimes.
- Maduro pleaded not guilty, per multiple reports, saying he is “innocent.” His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty.
State of play: Judge Alvin Hellerstein, a Clinton appointee, will oversee the proceedings.
- Maduro and his wife “will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,” Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in a Saturday statement.
Court filings show Maduro is represented by Barry Pollack, a veteran trial lawyer who represented Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.
- Flores will be represented by Texas attorney Mark Donnelly.
Here’s what to know about Maduro’s case…
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