Maduro Pleads Not Guilty in New York After First Hearing

Nicolás Maduro entered a Manhattan federal courtroom on Monday wearing prison clothing and ankle shackles, then pleaded not guilty to narcotics and weapons charges following his capture by U.S. forces over the weekend.

The arraignment, held at the Southern District of New York, was Maduro’s first public appearance since his seizure in Caracas three days ago. Reporters inside the courtroom said he turned toward the audience, nodded, and appeared to say “buenos dias.” Cameras were not allowed, but the room was packed.

At the start of the hearing, U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein asked Maduro to confirm his identity. Instead of answering briefly, Maduro spoke at length through an interpreter, telling the court that he had been captured at his home in Caracas and insisting that he remained the president of Venezuela. Hellerstein cut him off, telling him there would be a “time and place” for such claims.

Moments later, Maduro again addressed the court as he entered his plea. “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country,” he said through an interpreter, according to reporters present.

Maduro stood and listened through headphones while the judge summarized the charges. Prosecutors accuse him of overseeing an international cocaine trafficking network linked to drug cartels. The indictment includes four counts: narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.

Judge Hellerstein set the next hearing for March 17. Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, who was kidnapped alongside him, also pleaded not guilty. Outside the courthouse, dozens of protesters, both supporters and opponents, gathered during the roughly 40-minute hearing.

Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, said the case is expected to involve a long and complex legal battle, describing his client’s seizure as a “military abduction.” U.S. media reported that Maduro is not seeking release on bail at this time.

Tension rose near the end of the hearing when a member of the public shouted in Spanish that Maduro would “pay” for what he had done. Maduro turned toward the man and responded in Spanish, calling himself a “kidnapped president” and a “prisoner of war.” Court officers escorted Maduro out in shackles behind his wife as the shouting spectator, who was crying, was removed from the courtroom.

Flores appeared with visible bruising on her face. Her lawyer later said she suffered “significant injuries” during the kidnapping, including possible damage to her ribs. The judge ordered prosecutors to ensure she receives appropriate medical treatment.

As Maduro appeared in court, an emergency session of the UN Security Council in New York, Venezuela accused the United States of carrying out an illegal armed attack, while U.S. representatives described the operation as a lawful law enforcement action. European diplomats warned against violations of international borders.

Hours later in Caracas, Maduro’s longtime ally Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president. In her inaugural remarks, she referred to Maduro and Flores as “two heroes” and vowed to preserve peace and stability in the country, without signaling any immediate legal or diplomatic challenge to the U.S. move.

Maduro and Flores remain in U.S. custody as the case moves toward its next hearing in March.