Politis

Who is the Judge Presiding Over Nicolás Maduro's Case?

Published January 5, 2026, 16:20
Who is the Judge Presiding Over Nicolás Maduro's Case?

The case against Nicolás Maduro will be heard by 92-year-old federal judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1998. Hellerstein has extensive experience in terrorism and national security cases, having presided over cases stemming from the September 11th attacks. Recently, Hellerstein accepted the guilty plea of former Venezuelan General and intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal Barrios on charges related to narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. He has also rejected requests from Donald Trump to move cases to federal court, ruling that certain actions were not related to his presidency. Furthermore, Hellerstein issued a decision prohibiting the Trump administration from using the Enemy Alien Act to deport Venezuelans, criticizing the practice of deporting individuals to foreign prisons without trial. The selection of Hellerstein for Maduro's case suggests a serious and independent approach to the proceedings.