Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro faces judge in court

Nicolás Maduro, the former Venezuelan president, appeared for a pre-trial hearing in New York City on Thursday as a judge considers crucial pretrial motions in his case. Maduro has faced U.S. indictment on charges including drug trafficking and money laundering, accusations he has denied. The hearing represents a significant moment in the legal proceedings against the embattled leader, who fled Venezuela amid a political crisis and loss of international recognition. The judge's decisions on pretrial issues could shape how the case proceeds and what evidence may be admitted at trial. Maduro's legal status in the U.S. remains a sensitive matter given ongoing tensions between Washington and Caracas over Venezuela's political direction.