High Stakes in New York: Maduro's Courtroom Drama

Nicolas Maduro, the deposed Venezuelan president, made his first court appearance in the US on narco-terrorism charges. Captured by US forces, he faces a prolonged legal fight challenging his arrest's legality, claiming immunity as a sovereign head of state. The case arises amid geopolitical tensions and oil politics.

Nicolas Maduro, the former president of Venezuela, appeared in a New York courtroom on Monday, marking the beginning of his legal battle against narco-terrorism charges filed by the Trump administration. The case is set against the complex global backdrop of US-Venezuela relations, oil, and political maneuvering.

Maduro, who was captured alongside his wife in a military operation, faces allegations of collaborating with drug cartels to smuggle cocaine into the United States. The legal proceedings bring to light significant questions regarding his immunity as a former head of state, igniting a debate over international law.

Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has publicly demanded Maduro's return while expressing openness to diplomatic relations with the US. Meanwhile, the implications for Venezuela's oil sector remain uncertain, with concerns about production capacity following years of neglect.

(With inputs from agencies.)