Nicolás Maduro, who led Venezuela until he was ousted from power, appeared in a Manhattan federal courtroom on Monday and pleaded not guilty to U.S. drug trafficking charges. His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty. Both are among six individuals named in a four-count U.S. Department of Justice indictment.
Maduro told the court he still considers himself Venezuela’s president and claimed he was “kidnapped” from his home. Speaking in Spanish through an interpreter, he said, “I’m the president of Venezuela. I am innocent. In the name of God I will be free.” Judge Alvin Hellerstein interrupted Maduro and informed him that he could challenge the charges at a later time.
According to the indictment, the U.S. government accuses Maduro and Flores of conspiring with narcotics traffickers and armed groups to transport large quantities of cocaine from Venezuela to the United States via countries including Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico.
Maduro and Flores were taken into custody over the weekend in Caracas and appeared in court wearing navy V-neck shirts, orange undershirts, and tan pants. Both wore headsets providing Spanish translations. Flores had a facial bandage and visible bruises, which their legal team said resulted from their capture. Both requested medical treatment during the hearing.
Near the end of the proceeding, an unidentified audience member shouted, “You will pay for what you have done.” Maduro replied in Spanish, reiterating his claims of innocence.
Members of the media and groups of protesters, both supportive and critical of Maduro, gathered outside the courthouse throughout the day. Police maintained order and prevented conflicts between demonstrators.
Attorneys for Maduro and Flores did not speak publicly following the arraignment. The next court hearing is scheduled for March 17.
