A convoy believed to be carrying Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro arrives at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Manhattan for his federal court appearance, on March 26, 2026. Photo: VCG

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are scheduled to take the second US court appearance on Thursday local time, which is expected to be a status hearing on the case's progress, according to Reuters and CNN.

Maduro and Flores have pleaded not guilty to charges related to drug trafficking, money laundering and corruption, according to CNN. The hearing comes nearly three months after they were transferred to the US following their forcible seizure by US troops during a military raid on January 3, 2026. Maduro made his first court appearance on January 5 in New York, the US, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

The entire legal process is conducted under US domestic law and constitutes extraterritorial jurisdiction, raising serious concerns under international law, Du Tao, Dean of the School of International Law at East China University of Political Science and Law told the Global Times on Thursday.

Du noted that these actions violate key international principles, such as non-interference in domestic affairs, sovereign equality, and national independence.

On Thursday, a media briefing was held by the Venezuelan Embassy in Beijing where Venezuelan Ambassador to China provided an update on developments related to Maduro's scheduled court appearance and answered questions from reporters.

The media briefing lasted approximately half an hour and addressed around 10 questions, with participants including both Chinese and foreign media outlets.

Venezuela remains firmly committed to its promises to people around the world, especially to its ties with China, Venezuelan Ambassador to China Remigio Ceballos told the Global Times on Thursday, adding that the country remains firmly committed to the path of peace and prioritizes peace, and has received support from China and other nations in its pursuit of peace.

Held in the embassy's courtyard, the media briefing was lined with numerous photographs from previous public appearances by President Maduro and the first lady. 

The ambassador said that in accordance with the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and a ruling by the Supreme Court, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, has been appointed acting president, exercising presidential powers and overseeing all diplomatic affairs, while Venezuela's diplomatic work is continuing steadily.

"The US' illegal abduction of Maduro and his wife constitutes a violent act that violates Venezuela's sovereignty," the ambassador stressed while gesturing toward one of the photos of Maduro and the first lady displayed at the venue, noting that Venezuela remains firmly committed to the path of peace and places peace as its top priority.

At the same time, the ambassador made it clear that Venezuela's commitments to people around the world—especially its commitments to China-Venezuela relations—remain unchanged. He said bilateral cooperation proceeding smoothly without any obstacles. 

He added that the two sides will continue to deepen cooperation in areas including science and technology, healthcare, the economy and social development, in a bid to promote the common development of the two peoples. The ambassador also highly praised China's achievements in technological innovation.

In addition, the ambassador called on the international community to pay attention to the situation and urge the release of President Maduro and the first lady, who he said are being illegally abducted. He also stressed that the Venezuelan people will uphold their dignity, move forward steadily and continue to deepen bilateral relations with China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian also responded to a related question at the previous day's regular press conference, saying that the US forcibly seizing a country's president clearly violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, international law and basic international norms. China firmly opposes that. "We support Venezuela in safeguarding its own sovereignty, dignity and lawful rights," said Lin.