Federal judge overseeing Maduro’s trial dies at 92

A United States federal judge who presided over cases involving President Donald Trump and former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has died at the age of 92.

Judge Alvin Hellerstein died Tuesday of natural causes, shortly before his 93rd birthday.

According to Fox News, Hellerstein had served as a federal judge in New York since 1998, following his appointment by former President Bill Clinton.

He previously handled Trump’s attempts to transfer his New York criminal proceedings from state to federal court.

Before his death, Hellerstein was overseeing criminal proceedings against Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who face charges including conspiracy to commit torture.

Prosecutors allege the couple participated in a system of repression involving violence, arbitrary detention and torture of political opponents.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty, with their trial scheduled for June 2027.

A replacement judge will be randomly assigned to continue overseeing the Maduro proceedings following Hellerstein’s death.