Arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a New York federal court on Monday, pleading not guilty to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges, days after being captured by US forces in a dramatic operation in Caracas.
Maduro, 63, was accompanied by his wife, Cilia Flores, and addressed the court through an interpreter. He rejected all allegations, saying he was innocent and asserting that he remained the constitutional president of Venezuela. He described his capture by US authorities as a “kidnapping”, calling the operation illegal.
During the hearing, US District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein confirmed Maduro’s identity and formally entered a not guilty plea. The couple did not request bail and were ordered to remain in custody. Their next court appearance is scheduled for March 17.
The charges against Maduro and Flores include narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the US, and possession of firearms and explosives. US officials say the pair led a network that trafficked tons of cocaine into the US over the years.
The arrest has sparked protests both in Venezuela and in the US, highlighting Maduro’s continuing influence among supporters and the deep division surrounding his regime. In Caracas, Venezuela’s National Assembly condemned the US operation as a violation of national sovereignty, and Delcy Rodríguez, former vice president, has been sworn in as interim president. Maduro’s family also called for international support to secure his release.
The Trump administration justified the operation as part of its mission to dismantle international drug trafficking linked to Maduro’s government. Officials also signaled plans for deeper involvement in Venezuela’s economic and political reconstruction, including its oil industry.
Legal experts say the case will be complex and highly contentious, involving issues such as international law, jurisdiction, and potential claims of diplomatic immunity. Observers warn the outcome could have far-reaching consequences for US-Venezuela relations and global norms regarding the treatment of former heads of state.
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