Maduro flown to New York to face charges

Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro was flown by helicopter under heavy security to a federal court in New York on Monday, where he is expected to appear within hours on drug- and arms-trafficking charges.

Photos published by international media showed Nicolás Maduro in handcuffs, escorted by armed officers as he landed in Manhattan with his wife, Cilia Flores, before being transferred to an armored vehicle bound for court.

Maduro and Flores were accompanied by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Footage showed Maduro walking with a slight limp.

U.S. authorities said the couple were detained at their residence in Caracas on Saturday and flown to the United States as part of a special operations mission.

The U.S. Department of Justice said it has filed new charges against Maduro, adding to a long-running criminal case that federal prosecutors have pursued for about 15 years. Maduro has been formally named as a defendant in the case for the past six years.