Former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro has pleaded not guilty to multiple narcotics related charges following his arraignment in a federal court in New York.
Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were taken into custody by United States forces on January 3 after being indicted for their alleged involvement in a large scale narco terrorism operation. Their court appearance on Monday triggered protests outside the courthouse, with demonstrators divided between those demanding his release and others welcoming his arrest.
Supporters of Maduro criticised what they described as United States interference in Venezuela’s affairs, while opposing protesters expressed optimism about the country’s future without him in power. Police erected barricades to keep both groups apart, and several Venezuelan nationals were among the crowd.
Maduro, aged 63, denied all four charges brought against him, which include narco terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Speaking through an interpreter, he told the court that he was innocent and insisted he remained the legitimate president of Venezuela.
United States prosecutors allege that Maduro oversaw an international drug trafficking network that collaborated with criminal organisations such as Mexico’s Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, Colombian FARC rebels, and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. Maduro has consistently rejected these accusations, claiming they are part of a broader effort to gain control of Venezuela’s oil wealth.
His wife Cilia Flores also entered a not guilty plea during the proceedings. The court has adjourned the case until March 17.
Presiding Judge Alvin Hellerstein summarised the charges during the hearing and confirmed the couple’s identities. Maduro appeared in court wearing prison attire and followed proceedings through an interpreter. The judge also informed them of their right to notify the Venezuelan consulate.
Prosecutors argued that Maduro’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking dates back to his early political career in the National Assembly in 2000, continuing through his time as foreign minister and later as president from 2013 following the death of Hugo Chavez.
Maduro’s lawyer Barry Pollack described his client’s arrest as a military abduction and said the case would involve complex legal battles. While Maduro is not seeking bail at the moment, his legal team may revisit the issue later.
Meanwhile, Flores’s lawyer Mark Donnelly told the court that she suffered serious injuries during her arrest, including severe bruising to her ribs, and requested medical examinations including X rays.
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