Toppled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty on Monday to U.S. narcotics charges following his dramatic capture by U.S. forces in Caracas over the weekend. Speaking through an interpreter in Manhattan federal court, the 63-year-old Maduro said, “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country.” His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty. The next hearing is set for March 17.
The arrest has sent shockwaves through Caracas and the international community, with Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, sworn in as interim president. U.S. intelligence reportedly deemed Rodriguez best positioned to maintain order during Maduro’s absence, sidelining opposition figures who were expected to step in.
Maduro faces four counts including narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Prosecutors allege he ran a cocaine trafficking network linked to Colombian FARC rebels, Mexico’s Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. Maduro has denied all charges, claiming U.S. action masks imperialist ambitions targeting Venezuela’s oil reserves.
The raid drew international condemnation from Russia, China, and other allies, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning of potential instability and questioning its legality. U.S. President Donald Trump defended the operation, stating it targeted drug traffickers, not the Venezuelan people, and indicated plans for U.S. companies to rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure.
During Monday’s court proceedings, Maduro and Flores, shackled and escorted by armed guards, were formally read the charges. Lawyers for both argued that the raid constituted an illegal “military abduction” and noted injuries sustained by Flores. The case is expected to trigger complex legal battles over the legality of Maduro’s capture.
