Former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in a New York federal court on Monday, March 14, where they pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including narco-terrorism and drug and weapons offenses. Their court appearance followed their detention in Caracas, Venezuela, days earlier by United States forces.
Court Appearance and Pleas
Mr. Maduro, 63, and Ms. Flores attended a hearing in Manhattan, described as both brief and lasting 40 minutes, around noon local time. Both individuals utilized headsets for Spanish translation during the proceedings. Mr. Maduro was observed taking notes on a legal pad.
During the hearing, Mr. Maduro identified himself as "Nicolás Maduro, president of the Republic of Venezuela," and stated, "I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the president of my country." He also claimed he had been "kidnapped" since January 3rd, stating he was "captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela." US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein responded by indicating that there would be an appropriate time for such statements later in the proceedings. Both Mr. Maduro and Ms. Flores entered pleas of not guilty to the charges against them. Judge Hellerstein scheduled Mr. Maduro's next court appearance for March 17.
The defendants appeared in restraints, including handcuffs and leg shackles, and were dressed in blue and orange jail shirts with khaki pants. A reporter for the BBC, Madeline Halpert, was reportedly present in the courtroom.
Arrest and Charges
Mr. Maduro and Ms. Flores were detained in Caracas, Venezuela, over the weekend, three days prior to their court appearance. Their arrest was part of an operation that involved the deployment of approximately 150 aircraft and personnel from the U.S. military's Delta Squadron. The operation reportedly included strikes on military bases. Following their detention, they were transferred to a New York jail. On the day of their court appearance, they were transported by helicopter from a Brooklyn detention center to the lower Manhattan court facility, a distance of 8 kilometers, at approximately 8:00 AM local time.
Mr. Maduro faces charges including:
- Narco-terrorism conspiracy
- Cocaine importation conspiracy
- Possession of machine guns and destructive devices
- Conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the United States
Ms. Flores also faces charges related to drugs and weapons.
Legal Arguments and Recognition Status
Lawyers representing Mr. Maduro are expected to challenge the legality of his arrest, asserting that he possesses immunity from prosecution as a sovereign head of state. The United States government, however, does not recognize Mr. Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate head of state, a stance adopted following what it deemed a disputed 2024 presidential election.
Public and Media Presence
Public and media interest in the case led to queues forming outside the Manhattan courthouse on Sunday night. By Monday morning, dozens of cameras and reporters were present. Outside the court, groups of protesters gathered, with some displaying signs demanding the release of Mr. Maduro and calling for the United States to cease intervention in Venezuela. The courthouse has previously hosted notable cases, including those involving Ghislaine Maxwell, Sean "Diddy" Combs, and former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez.