“Former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro appeared in a New York court for a second time following his capture by US forces during a January raid in Caracas.”

“Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have pleaded not guilty to charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation and weapons offences.”

“His legal team is seeking to have the case dismissed, arguing that US sanctions preventing the Venezuelan government from paying his legal fees violate his right to legal representation.”

“Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro was back in a New York court on Thursday for his second appearance since his capture by US forces in an extraordinary nighttime raid.”

“Maduro, 63, and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been held in a Brooklyn jail for almost three months after American commandos snatched the pair from their compound in Caracas in early January.”

“The stunning operation deposed the strongman who had led Venezuela since 2013 and has since forced the oil-rich country to largely bend to the will of US President Donald Trump.”

“Maduro has declared himself a 'prisoner of war' and pleaded not guilty to his four counts of 'narco-terrorism' conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.”

“Trump said on Thursday that 'other cases are going to be brought' against Maduro, without giving more details.”

“The hearing at 11:00 am (1500 GMT) was expected to see Maduro push for the dismissal of his case as lawyers tussle over who will pay the former leader's legal fees.”

“Venezuela's government is seeking to cover the costs, but because of Washington's sanctions, his lawyer, Barry Pollack, must obtain a US license that has not been issued.”

“The South American country is now led by Delcy Rodriguez, who had been Maduro's vice president since 2018.”

“This month, the State Department said it was restoring diplomatic ties with Venezuela in a sign of thawing relations.”

“At least 83 people died, and more than 112 people were injured in the assault, according to Venezuelan officials. No US service members were killed.”

“Under US pressure, she is grappling with leading a country saddled with the world's largest proven oil reserves but an economy in shambles.”

“Pollack argued in a court submission that the license requirement violated Maduro's constitutional right to legal representation and demanded the case be thrown out on procedural grounds.”

“A police convoy believed to be carrying Maduro and Flores left the jail at around 4:00 am (0800 GMT) to reach the Manhattan court, AFP journalists saw.”

“He is only allowed to communicate by phone with his family and lawyers for a maximum of 15 minutes per call, the source added.”

“Detained in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Centre, a federal prison known for unsanitary conditions, Maduro is reportedly alone in a cell with no access to the internet or newspapers.”

“A source close to the Venezuelan government said the incarcerated Maduro reads the Bible and is referred to as 'president' by some of his fellow detainees.”

“US pressure”

“Rodriguez has since enacted a historic amnesty law to free political prisoners jailed under Maduro and reformed oil and mining regulations in line with US demands for access to her country's vast natural wealth.”

“Maduro and his wife were forcibly taken by US commandos in the early hours of 3 January in airstrikes on the Venezuelan capital backed by warplanes and a heavy naval deployment.”