Maduro taken to Brooklyn detention centre in New York

Nicolas Maduro taken to Brooklyn detention centre: trial in Manhattan next week

Nicolas Maduro delivered to of the Brooklyn Detention Centre in New York, where he will be held in custody until the trial begins. Already next week Maduro must face the following by the federal court in Manhattan.

According to the US Department of Justice, he is accused of drug smuggling, illegal importation of cocaine into the United States, and in arms trade, including automatic and destructive devices.

The essence of the charges

Federal prosecutors believe that Maduro has been a key figure in an international criminal network for years that has been

• used Venezuelan state structures for drug trafficking;

• collaborated with armed groups;

• was trafficking cocaine to the US and Western countries;

• provided weapons for criminal operations.

If found guilty, he faces life imprisonment.

Context.

The case was the culmination of a long-running investigation by US intelligence agencies into the Venezuelan leadership. Earlier, the US officially accused the Maduro regime of narcoterrorism and undermining international security.

Ukraine has already publicly supported the US actions, stating that the Maduro regime systematically violates human rights and democratic principles.