Transcript (en)

The former Venezuelan leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife are due in a Manhattan courtroom for a status hearing within this hour. Now, he faces four criminal counts, including for a narco-terrorism conspiracy, after U.S. forces grabbed him from Caracas in a raid in early January. Brian Yenis outside the courthouse with more, and Brian, good morning to you there. Bill, good morning. At today's noon hearing, we expect the judge to lay out the next steps in this high-profile case. According to new court documents, both sides are proposing a June 2027 start date for this trial against former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the former First Lady, his wife, Celia Flores. Early this morning, Maduro and Flores were believed to be moved in this motorcade from the federal prison in Brooklyn to the federal courthouse here in Manhattan. Maduro and Flores face federal cocaine trafficking and weapons charges. Maduro also faces a narco-terrorism charge. If convicted they face up to life in prison Prosecutors allege that for 25 years Maduro ran Venezuela like a drug trafficking organization transporting thousands of tons of cocaine as leader of the cartel de los Soles The defense indicates it plans to file motions to get this case thrown out. First, by claiming that Maduro can't be charged because he has immunity as a head of state. Secondly, by arguing the U.S. military raid that brought Maduro to the U.S. was illegal. On January 3rd, President Trump ordered those U.S. Special Forces to capture Maduro and his wife in the presidential palace in Caracas. Maduro has called himself a, quote, kidnapped president and a prisoner of war. The Trump administration argues Maduro was an illegitimate president. Here's then Attorney General Pam Bondi arguing that the raid was legal. This was well within the president's Article II powers. It was a law enforcement function to arrest indicted individuals in Venezuela. So in just a couple of hours, the hearing will start. We expect discussions about evidence discovery, future motions, and the judge could set a trial date. Got it.