Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty on Monday to sweeping US federal charges, telling a Manhattan court that he was 'kidnapped' by American forces and unlawfully brought to the United States. The appearance marked one of the most consequential prosecutions of a foreign head of state in decades.
Maduro appeared before a federal judge in New York on Monday (5), just 48 hours after his capture during a stunning military operation in Caracas. Speaking through a Spanish-language translator, the former leader insisted he remains Venezuela’s legitimate president and described his arrest as an act of international aggression. As he exited the courtroom, Maduro declared himself a “prisoner of war.”
Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging Maduro with four serious offenses, including narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. Authorities allege that he led a powerful criminal network responsible for trafficking thousands of tons of cocaine, abusing his position of power to facilitate drug shipments and the use of destructive devices. The charges carry the potential for life sentences if convictions are secured.
Inside the courtroom, Maduro wore a blue jail uniform and listened intently to the proceedings through a headset, his feet shackled. His wife, Cilia Flores, who is named as a co-defendant, was seated nearby. Flores also entered a not guilty plea. Both defendants were transported from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn under heavy security, traveling in an armored motorcade.
Maduro is being represented by high-profile defense attorney Barry Pollack, best known for his role in securing the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Defense lawyers signaled they would aggressively challenge the legality of what they described as a “military abduction” from Venezuelan sovereign territory. They said extensive pretrial motions would address the circumstances of Maduro’s arrest and his status under international law.
Attorneys for both Maduro and Flores told the court they would not seek bail at this stage. The judge ordered the pair to remain in federal custody in Brooklyn, scheduling the next court appearance for March 17, 2026.
The case has already sparked global geopolitical fallout. China and Russia have condemned the US operation, while president Donald Trump claimed the United States is now 'in charge' of Venezuela. The United Nations has voiced concern over whether international law was respected during the military action, as debate intensifies worldwide.
