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Former Venezuelan President Maduro to appear in Manhattan federal court Monday
By
Ben Feuerherd
Published Jan 4, 2026
Modified Jan 4, 2026
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John Lamparski / AFP via Getty Images
By
Ben Feuerherd
Published Jan 4, 2026
Modified Jan 4, 2026
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Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is expected to appear in federal court in Manhattan at noon on Monday, officials said.
He’s being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and will be moved under tight security to the courthouse in Lower Manhattan, authorities said.
A spokesperson for the NYPD said the department typically assists in moving individuals considered high-threat.
Defense attorney Jeff Lichtman, who represented Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, said that during his client's trial in New York, helicopters circled overhead and snipers were posted on rooftops.
“There will be dogs, there will be many men armed with automatic weapons, with riot gear on,” Lichtman said. “It’s a pretty intimidating atmosphere.”
He said such precautions are largely symbolic in U.S. federal courts, but likely to be repeated for Maduro, who will appear alone and separated from other detainees.
Former MDC Warden Cameron Lindsay said Maduro is likely being held in administrative detention, a form of solitary confinement for non-disciplinary reasons.
"He would be separated from every single inmate in that facility," Lindsay said, adding that top-level staff are often handpicked for such cases.
Detainees under this status are typically locked down 23 hours a day, with only limited, isolated recreation time, Lindsay said.
Lindsay added that coordination between federal agencies is likely extensive.
"I would expect the attorney general to be very specific and direct with the federal Bureau of Prisons that absolutely nothing can happen to this detainee and his wife."
Maduro and his wife were captured early Saturday in a large-scale military operation in Venezuela’s capital, according to President Donald Trump.
Both are facing charges tied to a narco-terrorism conspiracy case filed in New York.
This story has been updated with new information.
Tagged
Politics
new york city
public safety
Ben Feuerherd
Ben Feuerherd covers public safety and policing for WNYC and Gothamist. He previously covered federal courts for The New York Post and The Messenger. His work has also appeared in POLITICO, the Daily Beast and NBC New York. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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