Nicolás Maduro has remained in U.S. federal custody since his January 2026 capture by American forces during a raid on his Caracas residence, facing drug trafficking and additional torture-related charges in Manhattan federal court. He and his wife Cilia Flores pleaded not guilty during a November 9, 2026, appearance before a new judge following the prior presiding judge’s death, with their trial scheduled for mid-2027. Defense arguments center on head-of-state immunity and the legality of the extraterritorial operation, while prosecutors pursue a case carrying potential life sentences. Venezuelan transitional politics under acting leadership and any diplomatic negotiations could influence release timing or conditions ahead of resolution.