Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to narcotics trafficking and weapons charges in a New York courtroom. According to PIX11, during Monday’s arraignment, Maduro referred to himself as “a decent man, the president of my country” and told U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein, “I was captured.”
The arraignment follows an action by President Donald Trump, who ordered an operation in Venezuela that led to the detention of Maduro and his wife. The move has raised questions regarding Trump’s legal authority. Legal experts have indicated to AMNY that the operation could potentially exceed legal limits.
Maduro, who has been under a U.S. indictment since 2020, appeared before the judge for a required judicial procedure that could mark the start of a lengthy legal process. His plea of not guilty was entered alongside his wife’s, who also confirmed her identity to the court and pleaded not guilty, as reported by PIX11.
Maduro and Flores will remain in detention for now, with their legal teams potentially requesting bail at a later time. Their next court appearance is set for March 17. Outside the courthouse, protesters and pro-intervention demonstrators were present, PIX11 reported.
The charges against Maduro, which carry a potential life sentence if he is convicted, relate to allegations that he, his family, and other Venezuelan officials were involved with drug trafficking organizations. U.S. prosecutors claim that Maduro collaborated with traffickers and armed groups such as the FARC to transport cocaine into the United States. Maduro has denied any involvement with drug trafficking and has previously stated that U.S. actions were motivated by Venezuela’s oil and mineral resources. He is now required to navigate the U.S. legal system as the case proceeds.
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