Maduro and Wife Plead Not Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court

Nicolas Maduro, the ousted Venezuelan leader, and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty on Monday to federal drug trafficking and weapons charges in a Manhattan courtroom, according to CBS News and Al Jazeera. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein presided and set the next proceeding for March 17, both outlets reported.

Speaking through an interpreter, Maduro said, “I’m innocent. I’m not guilty -- I’m a decent man,” and that he is “still president of my country,” CBS reported. Al Jazeera quoted him telling the judge, “I was kidnapped. I am innocent and a decent man, the president of my country.” Al Jazeera reported that both defendants wore blue jail uniforms and used headsets to hear the English proceedings in Spanish.

CBS reported that Maduro faces four counts covering narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine and weapons-related offenses. A superseding indictment unsealed Saturday also names four co-defendants, including Maduro’s son and Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, none of whom is in custody, CBS reported. Prosecutors allege that Maduro led a “corrupt, illegitimate government” that used its power to promote drug trafficking and helped send “thousands of tons of cocaine” to the United States, according to CBS. Maduro was first indicted in March 2020, during Trump’s first term, CBS reported. Al Jazeera noted that some observers say there is no evidence linking Maduro to cartels.

His lawyer, Barry Pollack, told the court that Maduro has health issues requiring attention, and Flores’ lawyer said she may have suffered fractured or badly bruised ribs during her capture, CBS reported. Hellerstein said both would receive medical attention and that his intent is to ensure a fair trial, according to CBS. Defense lawyers said neither defendant is seeking release on bail now but could ask later, CBS reported. Mark Donnelly represents Flores, CBS and Al Jazeera reported.

According to Al Jazeera, Pollack said Maduro “is head of a sovereign state and entitled to the privilege” that status provides, and that the defense will challenge the legality of the arrest and expects “voluminous” pretrial filings. Al Jazeera noted that the United States does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader.

U.S. forces captured the couple in an overnight operation Saturday, which President Trump called a “large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader,” CBS reported. The operation followed a months-long military buildup in the Caribbean. Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s former vice president, was sworn in Monday as Venezuela’s interim president, both outlets reported. Al Jazeera reported that she first took a defiant stance but has since offered to collaborate with Washington, and that Trump said the United States is “in charge” of Venezuela.

The capture drew international criticism. Al Jazeera reported that U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told an emergency Security Council session he was “deeply concerned” that international law had not been respected, that Russia and China condemned the action and called for Maduro’s release, and that U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz described it as a “law enforcement operation.” Outside the courthouse, protesters gathered on both sides, the outlets reported.

Reporting by CBS indicated the couple was brought by helicopter from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to a Manhattan heliport and then by motorcade to court.