Now That's a Perp Walk: Watch Maduro Hauled to Court Under Heavy Guard

Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro entered the next phase of the "find out" drama on Monday.

Maduro taken by helicopter to first court appearance in NYC https://t.co/w0Plboi8Rk via @YouTube

— Nickarama (@nickaramaOG) January 5, 2026

The ousted Venezuelan president and his wife have now arrived at the Manhattan federal court where they'll go before a judge later today on narco-terrorism charges.

The armored car carrying Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores reversed into a secured area at the courthouse just before 7:45 a.m.

Scores of heavily armed DEA officers and NYPD cops swarmed the streets as the transfer took place.

They stashed him in an armored car to get him to court. 

Now this is one heck of a perp walk. 

BREAKING: Nicolás Maduro surrounded by heavy security as he is transported to New York City court ahead of his arraignment. pic.twitter.com/2EqrMrNKxe

— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 5, 2026

Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores land in Manhattan this morning as the ousted Venezuelan leader prepares for his initial court appearance for narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking and money laundering charges.

📸: REUTERS pic.twitter.com/sDBfns15ol

— Katelyn Caralle (@Katelyn_Caralle) January 5, 2026

Maduro faces four counts in the superseding indictment, as my colleague Susie Moore explained.

• Count I - Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy
• Count II - Cocaine Importation Conspiracy
• Count III - Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices
• Count IV - Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices

Others are also charged. Flores was not charged with the first count, but was charged with the other three. Each of the counts has steep penalties, as Susie explained. 

READ MORE: Let's Take a Closer Look at That Maduro Indictment

The case is currently assigned to U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, a 92-year-old judge appointed by Bill Clinton. 

The born-and-bred New Yorker has presided over a slew of cases tied to the 9/11 terror attacks and others related to national security.

We have some wags already joking that he may decide to send him back to Venezuela. 

Maduro will be represented by longtime Big Apple criminal defense attorney David Wikstrom, The Post confirmed.

It wasn't immediately clear if the court-appointed attorney would continue to rep the ousted leader at future court hearings.

Maduro was captured on Saturday after a stunning operation - Absolute Resolve - that the Trump administration undertook to extricate him and his wife from Caracas.

READ MORE: White House Drops a Big 'Find Out' Video on Maduro, Shows Sharp Contrast With Biden Failure

Night Stalkers Over Caracas: How U.S. Special Forces Pulled Off the Perfect Raid

The U.S. had him in a few hours without losing a man, but it caused Democrats to lose their minds and attack President Donald Trump for taking the military action to get him, despite all the things that they had previously said about Maduro themselves. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) flipped out that he wasn't told, but that helped to prevent leaks that could have destroyed the mission. Then Schumer gave a perfect example of why that was a great move by the Trump administration. 

READ MORE: Rubio Destroys the Dem Narrative on Venezuela, Mocks Kamala Harris in the Process

Whoops: Schumer's 'Open Mouth, Insert Foot' Moment as Dems' Hypocrisy Hits Hyper Drive on Venezuela

RedState will keep you updated on any new developments in the case. 

Editor’s Note: Do you enjoy RedState’s conservative reporting that takes on the radical left and woke media? Support our work so that we can continue to bring you the truth.

Join RedState VIP and use the promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.