Maduro Appears in Court After Dramatic US Capture

Melbourne, January 6: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have appeared in a New York court for the first time after being captured in a dramatic US military operation, pleading not guilty to a string of serious criminal charges.

Maduro was brought into the courtroom in the early hours of Tuesday (AEDT) with his ankles shackled. He denied all allegations of drug trafficking and weapons offences, telling the judge: “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man.”

He also claimed he was being held unlawfully, saying: “I am the president of the republic of Venezuela. I am here kidnapped…” before being interrupted by District Judge Alvin Hellerstein.

As US deputy marshals escorted him out of the courtroom, Maduro turned back and declared in Spanish: “I am a kidnapped president. I am a prisoner of war.”

His wife, Cilia Flores, also entered a plea of not guilty. Her lawyer told the court she had been injured during her arrest in Venezuela and required medical treatment for a possible fractured rib.

Maduro’s court-appointed defence lawyer said there were serious legal questions surrounding the “military abduction” of the couple and that extensive pre-trial motions would be filed challenging the legality of the operation. The case was adjourned until March 17.

The couple were flown to the United States late on Saturday following what US officials described as a carefully planned military operation that had been in preparation for months.

The dramatic capture has strengthened the political stance of US President Donald Trump, who has since hinted at possible military action in Colombia and Greenland and warned Mexico to “get its act together”.

The United Nations has condemned the US operation, expressing concern that international law may have been violated and warning that the precedent set by the capture could have serious global consequences.

The case has further heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas, while governments around the world continue to closely monitor developments.