Start Here Nicolas Maduro Arrives in Court
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Jan 6, 2026 Aaron Katursky, ABC News chief investigative correspondent, dives into Nicolas Maduro's court appearance and the alarming cocaine trafficking charges he faces. Elizabeth Schulze, ABC News economics correspondent, analyzes market reactions and the implications for U.S. oil companies like Chevron regarding Venezuelan oil. Meanwhile, Jay O'Brien discusses the political fallout from Minnesota's daycare fraud scandal, detailing Governor Tim Walz's controversial decision to suspend his re-election bid amid fierce scrutiny.
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Maduro’s Courtroom Arrival
- Aaron Katursky described how Nicolas Maduro was brought into a Manhattan courtroom after being captured and flown to the U.S.
- Maduro appeared in shackles, pleaded not guilty, and proclaimed he is the constitutionally elected president of Venezuela.
How Capture Affects Legal Challenges
- Once a defendant is in U.S. court, judges often avoid weighing how they were brought to the country, limiting pre-trial challenges.
- Maduro's lawyers will still argue sovereign immunity, but legal precedent may blunt that defense.
Big Reserves, Small Current Output
- Venezuela holds the world's largest oil reserves but currently produces less than 1% of global oil output.
- That mismatch means seizing reserves won't instantly reshape global oil markets or prices.