Maduro-Flores Drug Trial Begins

0:00On March 26th, ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Silia Flores appeared in a New York federal court today for the first time since. Their January arrests, the 63-year-old former president and his 69-year-old wife faced charges of conspiring to traffic drugs from Venezuela into the United States, which could mean life in prison if they're convicted. Their lawyers pushed hard to dismiss the case during the hearing, citing a dispute over legal fees. The defense wants to use Venezuelan government funds, but U.S. officials blocked it, insisting Maduro pay from his own pocket despite his claims of. Being broke, the judge quickly shut that down, saying the case stays on track. Outside the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States courthouse, about 50 supporters rallied with signs demanding Maduro's release, calling him a prisoner of war. Maduro and Flores, who spent nearly three months at the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, looked worn from the harsh conditions.

1:00There, shared by high-profile inmates in the past, the couple's dramatic capture happened in Caracas on January 3, amid pressure from the Trump administration, including ship block aids. Prosecutors alleged their drug operation involved kidnappings and murders of rivals. Since then, Venezuela has new leadership under Delci Rodriguez, who's freed political prisoners and restarted diplomatic ties with the U.S. after seven years. As the pretrial process continues, Maduro and Flores remain in custody, adjusting to solitary life confinement while their political world back home. Keep shifting.