New Delhi, Jan 06: Venezuelan former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of drugs and weapons during their first appearance before a federal court in New York, following their seizure by US forces over the weekend.
According to the BBC, Maduro walked into a Manhattan courtroom for the first time on Monday afternoon, where 92-year-old Judge Alvin Hellerstein asked him to confirm his identity to begin the proceedings.
Speaking calmly in Spanish before an interpreter, Maduro told the court: “I am Nicolás Maduro. I am president of the Republic of Venezuela and I am here kidnapped since January 3rd. I was captured at my home in Caracas.” The judge swiftly interrupted, saying there would be a “time and a place” to address those claims, reports the BBC.
During the 40-minute arraignment, Maduro, 63, and Flores both entered not-guilty pleas to charges that include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. “I’m innocent. I’m a decent man,” Maduro said, while Flores told the court she was “completely innocent”, the BBC reported.
CBS News said Maduro also insisted he remained Venezuela’s lawful leader, declaring through an interpreter: “I’m innocent. I’m not guilty. I’m a decent man, the president of my country.”
The couple appeared in blue and orange jail shirts and khaki trousers, wearing headphones for Spanish translation. Maduro was seen taking careful notes on a yellow legal pad, which he asked the judge to allow him to keep. Flores appeared to have bruises on her face, which her lawyer alleged were sustained during their arrest. Both were transferred to a New York jail after being seized at their compound in Venezuela as part of a surprise US operation that also involved strikes on military bases, reports BBC.
The hearing ended tensely when a man in the public gallery shouted that Maduro would “pay” for his crimes. “I’m a president and prisoner of war,” Maduro shouted back in Spanish, before the man was escorted out, visibly emotional.
Neither Maduro nor Flores sought bail, meaning they will remain in federal custody. Their next court hearing is scheduled for March 17.
As Maduro prepares for a prolonged legal battle in the United States, Venezuela faces an uncertain future, caught between a leadership vacuum at home, mounting international scrutiny, and deepening geopolitical tensions that are being closely watched across the world.
Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as interim president of Venezuela
Former vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez, was sworn in as interim president by her brother, the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly. She described Maduro and Flores as “two heroes” and said she took the oath with pain because of the suffering caused by what she called “illegitimate military aggression”.