Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty today to U.S. drug-trafficking charges. This was his first public appearance after an extraordinary special forces attack by the United States, leading to his arrest.
“I’m innocent,” Maduro said through an interpreter, according to The Associated Press. “I am not guilty. I am a decent man.”
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Maduro also told U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein in New York that he is still the president of Venezuela, despite his removal by U.S. forces in a raid early Saturday.
Maduro also asserted that he had been “kidnapped.”
The Venezuelan leader is charged with four counts, including narco-terrorism conspiracy. The U.S. first unsealed criminal charges against Maduro and officials in his administration in March 2020, during President Donald Trump’s first term.
Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty Monday.
What happened in court?
Maduro told the judge he was “captured” and was not made aware of his rights as a defendant in a U.S. criminal proceeding during his arrest.
“I did not know of these rights,” he said. “Your honor is informing me of them now.”
Like her husband, Flores reiterated her position within the Venezuelan government.
“I am first lady of the Republic of Venezuela,” she said through an interpreter.
Flores’ lawyers told the judge that “severe bruising” on her ribs needs to be addressed, but they did not say how she was injured. Hellerstein said that attorneys can work something out with prosecutors.
Maduro and his wife requested a consular visit as the judge notified them of their rights. U.S. law requires foreign nationals to inform their country’s nearest consulate.
As Maduro stood to leave the courtroom, a man in the audience stood and began “forcefully speaking” at him in Spanish, calling him an “illegitimate” leader, according to the AP. Maduro looked directly back at the man and responded in Spanish, “I am a kidnapped president. I am a prisoner of war.”
NBC News reported that a man stood up and told Maduro that he would “pay on behalf of Venezuela.”
“In the name of God, I will be free,” Maduro responded.
It was unclear if this was the same man the AP reported speaking to Maduro while leaving the courtroom.
At the end of the hearing, Maduro gathered papers before authorities led him and his wife out of the courtroom. Reporters at the hearing said he stopped to look at the gallery before authorities escorted him out.
What’s next for Maduro?
The judge said he was open to releasing Maduro and Flores before the trial. However, Maduro’s defense team is not seeking his release at this time.
“When appropriate, you can make your bail application,” Hellerstein said.
Hellerstein scheduled the next court hearing for March 17 at 11 a.m. Maduro and Flores will remain in custody at New York City’s Metropolitan Detention Center.
