US-Venezuela Tensions

What to Know About Alvin Hellerstein, the Judge Overseeing Maduro’s Case

The 92-year-old N.Y. jurist handled numerous wrongful death and property lawsuits related to the Sept. 11 attacks.
What to Know About Alvin Hellerstein, the Judge Overseeing Maduro’s Case
People celebrate the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro outside the Federal District Court in Lower Manhattan where Maduro is expected to appear, on Jan. 5, 2026. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times
Stacy Robinson
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Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro made his first court appearance on Jan. 5, pleading not guilty to charges that could send him to prison for the rest of his life.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, 92, has been tapped to oversee the proceedings. He is no stranger to such cases; in 2022 he refused to dismiss charges against former Venezuelan army Gen. Cliver Alcalá, who was accused of helping Maduro traffic cocaine to the United States.

Stacy Robinson
Stacy Robinson
Author
Stacy Robinson is a politics reporter for the Epoch Times, occasionally covering cultural and human interest stories. Based out of Washington, D.C. he can be reached at [email protected]