Under a security deployment worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, Nicolás Maduro was transferred Monday to the Manhattan courthouse to face charges of narcoterrorism filed by the government of Donald Trump.
The day, which included transfers in armored vehicles and helicopters transmitted in real time, marked the beginning of one of the most complex and mediatic judicial processes in recent history.
Barry Pollack: the key player in Maduro’s defense
Although the court initially assigned public defender David Wikstrom (known for having represented the brother of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez), the picture changed drastically when it was confirmed that Maduro hired Barry Pollack.
Pollack is an extremely high-profile figure in the U.S. legal system: his name went around the world as the architect of Julian Assange‘s defense, securing in 2024 the deal that allowed the WikiLeaks founder’s release.
With more than 30 years of experience and trained at Georgetown University, Pollack is an expert in “white collar” cases and has achieved milestones such as the acquittal of executives in the Enron scandal.
Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, will be represented by Mark Donnelly, a former Justice Department prosecutor.
Legal strategy: immunity and sovereignty
Maduro’s defense has already revealed its first cards: Pollack is expected to challenge the legality of the arrest, arguing that his client enjoys sovereign immunity as head of state.
For the time being, the defense has decided not to request bail, focusing on challenging the jurisdiction of the New York court to try a sitting president.
One indictment for war crimes and drug offenses
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has not spared any accusations. The indictment against Maduro is divided into four main axes:
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Conspiracy for narcoterrorism.
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Conspiracy to introduce cocaine into U.S. territory.
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Possession and use of weapons of war (machine guns and explosives).
As for Cilia Flores, the justice system describes her as a key operational figure. She is accused not only of receiving million-dollar bribes since 2007 to cover up for drug traffickers, but of allegedly ordering kidnappings and assassinations to protect the organization’s operations.
Alvin Hellerstein: 92-year-old judge facing his greatest challenge
At the helm of this proceeding is veteran Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein. Nominated by Bill Clinton in 1998, the 92-year-old judge has an eclectic record, from handling multimillion-dollar lawsuits related to the September 11 attacks to resolving copyright disputes involving singer Shakira.
Now, his seniority and mettle will be put to the test in a case that mixes criminal justice with high international politics.
