The United States judicial system formally requested this Monday the rescheduling of the hearing scheduled for President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, who remain in custody in US territory following the events of January 3.
In a letter sent to Judge Alvin Hellerstein of the Southern District of New York, federal prosecutor Jay Clayton proposed for the hearing, initially scheduled for March 17, to be moved to March 26.
Reasons for the postponement:
According to the court document, the request, which counts with the approval of the defense attorneys for both Venezuelans, is due to the need to resolve “scheduling conflicts and logistical challenges.”
The additional time would allow for:
– Discovery of evidence: The prosecution requires the time to produce the corresponding evidence material.
– Analysis of the defense: The defense attorneys need to process this information for the preparation of pre-trial motions.
Context of the case:
The judicial process stems from the military operation carried out by US forces at the beginning of the year in Venezuelan territory, which impacted strategic areas in Caracas and Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira states.
Although the objectives declared by Washington were defense and communication systems, the incursion also affected urban areas and left a toll of civilian casualties, culminating with the transfer of Maduro and Flores to New York City to face charges brought by the US justice system under allegations of narcoterrorism.
