Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was presented before a New York court on Monday after a US Justice Department indictment accused him and other senior Venezuelan leaders of abusing positions of public trust to facilitate large-scale drug trafficking into the United States.
According to the indictment, Maduro and his allies allegedly provided protection, logistical support and law enforcement cover to international criminal organisations, including the Sinaloa Cartel and the Tren de Aragua gang, for more than two decades.
US prosecutors claim the groups funneled drug profits to high-ranking officials in exchange for protection.
The indictment further alleges that Maduro authorised the sale of Venezuelan diplomatic passports to known traffickers and facilitated flights under diplomatic cover to move drug proceeds from Mexico to Venezuela.
US authorities said the court proceedings will focus on charges linked to narcotics trafficking, corruption and organised crime. Maduro has denied wrongdoing in the past and has described earlier US charges as politically motivated.
Background to the case dates back to Saturday, when US officials said Maduro was detained by American forces and transferred to New York.
US President Donald Trump later claimed Washington would oversee Venezuela until a political transition takes place, a statement that has drawn international scrutiny.
