Former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro is in court to contest drug trafficking charges, invoking a violation of his constitutional rights.

Nicolás Maduro, the former president of Venezuela, appears in front of the court in New York on Thursday to request the dismissal of drug trafficking charges, arguing that the U.S. is blocking government funds to pay for his lawyers. His lawyer claims that this action violates Maduro's constitutional rights. Both he and his wife, Cilia Flores, remain in detention in Brooklyn without requesting bail. Maduro, at 63 years old, and Flores, 69, continue to have supporters in Venezuela, where calls for their return are being made. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government, now led by Delcy Rodríguez, has begun to distance itself from Maduro, reorganizing structures and eliminating his influence. Venezuela has also restored diplomatic relations with the U.S., which has recognized an opposition leader as legitimate. Maduro and Flores face serious charges, including drug trafficking and violence, and if convicted, they risk life imprisonment. Daily life for most Venezuelans remains difficult, with low wages and extremely high inflation.