Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court, days after his dramatic capture and transfer to the United States under orders issued during US President Donald Trump’s administration. The appearance marked Maduro’s first court hearing since being brought to the US.
Maduro, 63, was produced before US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein at a federal court in Manhattan. He faces four serious criminal charges, including narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. The hearing lasted around 30 minutes, and the next court date has been scheduled for March 17.
‘I Am Innocent,’ Maduro Tells Court
During the proceedings, the judge read out the charges against Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Speaking through an interpreter, Maduro denied all allegations.
“I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country,” Maduro told the court, according to Reuters, before being interrupted by the judge.
Maduro also addressed the circumstances of his arrest, telling the court that he was “captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela,” according to CNN. His statement signals a key defence argument — that his arrest by US authorities on foreign soil was unlawful.
Maduro’s lawyer described the operation as a “military abduction,” arguing that it violated international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty.
Cilia Flores Also Pleads Not Guilty
Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, appeared alongside him and also entered a plea of not guilty. When asked to identify herself, she told the court, “I am First Lady of Venezuela,” before declaring that she was “completely innocent,” Bloomberg reported.
Judge Hellerstein informed the couple of their right to notify the Venezuelan consulate regarding their arrests, according to Reuters.
Heavy Security and First Court Appearance
Earlier in the day, Maduro and Flores were transferred from a Brooklyn detention facility under heavy security. With his hands zip-tied, Maduro was escorted by armed guards in tactical gear to a helicopter that flew him to the Manhattan courthouse.
The hearing began at 12:02 pm local time. Dressed in orange and beige prison clothing, Maduro listened through headphones as the judge outlined the charges. He responded in Spanish when asked to confirm his identity.
Background of the US Case
US federal prosecutors first indicted Maduro in 2020 as part of a long-running investigation into narcotics trafficking involving current and former Venezuelan officials and Colombian guerrilla groups. A revised indictment made public on Saturday added new details and named additional co-defendants, including Flores.
Washington has refused to recognise Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader since his 2018 re-election, which the US and several allies say was marred by widespread irregularities.
US prosecutors allege that Maduro oversaw a vast cocaine-trafficking network linked to Mexico’s Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, Colombia’s FARC rebels, and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua criminal gang.
Maduro has consistently denied the allegations, previously stating that the charges are a pretext for US attempts to seize control of Venezuela’s vast oil wealth.