MADURO PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN US COURT

Mon 05 January 2026:

Maduro has told the judge “I was kidnapped” during his arraignment in US court.

Nicolas Maduro has pleaded not guilty to “narco-terrorism” charges in a US court, telling the judge “I am a decent man, the president of my country”.

Cilia Flores, Maduro’s wife, also pleaded not guilty to drug charges during the court hearing.

Maduro, dressed in a blue uniform, was brought into the New York courtroom alongside his wife around 12pm (17:00 GMT), according to the AP news agency.

They both used headsets to hear a Spanish-language translation of the court proceedings, which are expected to kick off a lengthy legal battle over the trial’s legality, reported the agency.

After judge Alvin Hellerstein read the charges against Maduro, including “narco-terrorism conspiracy” and asked for his plea, Maduro replied: “I am innocent. I am not guilty of anything that is mentioned here.”

Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, also stressed her innocence when asked for her plea: “Not guilty. Completely innocent,” she said.

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Maduro describes himself as Venezuela’s president, a good man in court appearance

When Maduro entered the courthouse and appeared before the judge, who asked him to identify himself, which he did in Spanish. He described himself as the president of Venezuela, something that US authorities are challenging, saying that he’s not the legitimate leader.

Maduro was brought into court wearing a prison uniform and handcuffs. He has headphones on to translate the proceedings into Spanish. This is very much a formulaic appearance, what’s known as an arraignment. This is the first appearance before the court for a defendant, when they are asked to recognise their charges. Defendants are read their charges and given a chance to respond.

Maduro responded that he was not guilty. Indeed, he said he had been kidnapped and that he was a good man.

The US judge assigned to Maduro’s case, Alvin Hellerstein, has ordered the Venezuelan leader to next appear in court for a hearing on March 17.

Hundreds of anti-Maduro protesters gather in New York

Hundreds of anti-Maduro protesters and onlookers had assembled across from Manhattan’s federal courthouse about 12:30pm (17:30 GMT) on Monday hoping to catch a glimpse of deposed President Nicolas Maduro as he awaited arraignment on US soil.

They were engulfed by dozens of police officers and media crews. Helicopters and drones buzzed overhead.

Protesters wore Venezuelan flags, hats, and chanted the country’s national anthem. Some had climbed on top of a nearby playground’s jungle gym holding a Venezuelan flag.

Many held signs – some in Spanish – reading, “Maduro destroyed thousands of families, not just one country – now he must pay!” and “Thank you President Donald Trump.”

Another sign, an apparent reference to the hundreds of counter-demonstrators who had amassed to protest US imperialism, read, “Dear protester if this was Vzla, you’d be tied up to a pole getting beat up in prison with no food for speaking up agai[n]st your government you’re protecting a dictator!”

Indeed, there was a large presence of anti-Trump protesters who had also assembled at the courthouse to confront the Venezuelan diaspora celebrating Maduro’s abduction by President Donald Trump’s administration.

Some waved Gaza flags and held signs reading, “No US War on Venezuela” and “Stop bombing Venezuela now!”

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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