By Momodu Favour

Ousted Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, is set to appear before a New York judge today in a high-stakes hearing that could shape the direction of his unprecedented prosecution in the United States.

The 63-year-old former leader, who ruled Venezuela from 2013 until his dramatic removal earlier this year, will return to court for the second time since he and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by U.S. forces in a controversial military operation in Caracas.

At Thursday’s hearing, Maduro’s legal team is expected to push for the dismissal of charges, arguing that restrictions imposed by Washington have undermined his right to proper legal representation.

His lawyer, Barry Pollack, has challenged the U.S. government’s refusal to allow Venezuelan state funds to cover Maduro’s legal fees, insisting that the move violates constitutional protections.

Prosecutors, however, maintain that sanctioned government funds cannot be used, though Maduro may still access personal resources for his defence.

Maduro has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts, including narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking conspiracy