Nicolás Maduro Denies Drug Trafficking Charges in New York Court

Maduro's Court Appearance

During his initial court appearance in New York on Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro entered a plea of not guilty to drug trafficking allegations made by the United States. He asserted his innocence, claiming he had been kidnapped, according to reports.

In his statement to the court, Maduro declared, “I am a decent man, the constitutional president of my country.”

Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, were reportedly taken by US military forces in a nighttime operation over the weekend.

They faced US District Judge Alvin K Hellerstein for an arraignment on charges that include alleged narcoterrorism.

Flores also pleaded not guilty during the session, and neither of them requested bail or release.

The judge has set the next court date for Maduro on March 17.

In Caracas, Nicolás Maduro’s son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, addressed the National Assembly, claiming that his father had been “kidnapped” by the US and called for “international solidarity” for his return.

During the Assembly's installation session, Maduro Guerra emphasized that the US operation infringed upon Venezuela’s sovereignty and warned of potential implications for other nations.

“If we normalize the kidnapping of a head of state, no country is safe,” he stated, highlighting the global threat posed by such actions.

The US has accused Maduro of various crimes, including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, which the Venezuelan government vehemently denies.

Caracas has labeled the actions of the US government as “military aggression” and has demanded the immediate release of Maduro and Flores.

Conversely, on Sunday, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, a close ally of Maduro, expressed a willingness to collaborate with Washington, hoping to foster “respectful relations” with US President Donald Trump.

Since late August, the US has been conducting a significant military deployment near the Venezuelan coast, claiming it aims to combat drug trafficking in Latin America, with a particular focus on Venezuela.

The US is among the nations that do not recognize Maduro's government and has consistently supported the Venezuelan opposition.