Maduro pleads not guilty in New York to drug trafficking charges

According to Time, deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges in a New York court on Monday. It was his first U.S. court appearance since he was captured by American forces over the weekend. Maduro is accused of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine, among other charges; his wife, Cilia Flores, his son Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra, and other Venezuelan officials have also been charged and could face life sentences if convicted.

At the arraignment, held shortly after noon, Maduro repeatedly proclaimed his innocence, saying, "I am innocent. I am not guilty of anything that is mentioned here," while wearing a blue prison uniform before Judge Alvin K Hellerstein. Flores entered her own not guilty plea, saying, "Not guilty.

Completely innocent," and both asserted their remaining roles in Venezuela—Maduro saying, "I am still president of my country," and Flores calling herself "the first lady of the Republic of Venezuela." As he exited the courtroom, after a man called him "illegitimate," Maduro said in Spanish, "I am a kidnapped president," and called himself "a prisoner of war." Maduro’s lawyers said they will argue he is immune from prosecution as a foreign head of state, though the U.S.

Key Topics

World, Nicolas Maduro, Cilia Flores, Venezuela, New York, Alvin K Hellerstein