Maduro arrives in New York court for drug trafficking trial

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday appeared before a New York court on drug trafficking charges after being seized along with his wife and taken out of Caracas by United States military personnel.

Maduro, 63, faces narcotrafficking charges along with his wife, who was also seized and taken out of Caracas in the shock US assault on Saturday, which involved commandos, bombing by jet planes, and a massive naval force off Venezuela’s coast.

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency session on Monday at Venezuela’s request. This will provide a platform for international concern over US intentions in the country of around 30 million people, according to AFP.

United States President Trump is likely unfazed, as his plan to dominate Venezuela and its vast oil reserves unfolds.

“We’re in charge,” Trump announced on Sunday night.

‘Free our president’: Venezuelans demand Maduro’s release as 70 die during US strikes

In a potential win for the United States, Maduro’s successor and interim leader Delcy Rodriguez dropped her initial fiery rhetoric, issuing a statement late Sunday offering to work with Trump.

“We extend an invitation to the US government to work together on an agenda for cooperation,” the acting president said.

This was hours after Trump threatened that she’d pay a “very big price, probably bigger than Maduro”, if she didn’t bend to US wishes.

When asked what he needs from Rodriguez, Trump said: “We need total access. We need access to the oil and other things in their country that allow us to rebuild their country.”

The Star