Nicolas Maduro insists he is still Venezuela's president and pleads not guilty in US court
JAKARTA - Nicolas Maduro insists he is still the President of Venezuela and pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him in a US court on Monday.
Maduro (63) pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court to four criminal charges: drug terrorism, cocaine import conspiracy, and possession of a machine gun and explosive device.
Dozens of demonstrators, both pro- and anti-Maduro, gathered outside the courthouse before the half-hour hearing.
"I am innocent. I am innocent. I am a good person. I am still the president of my country," Maduro said through an interpreter, before being cut off by US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, launching Al Arabiya from Reuters (6/1).
Meanwhile, Maduro's wife, who was arrested last weekend, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty.
On Monday morning, Maduro - with his hands tied - and his wife were escorted by armed guards with tactical gear from the Brooklyn detention center to a helicopter bound for Manhattan federal court.
The judge began the hearing at 12:02 p.m. local time by summarizing the charges. Maduro, in orange and cream prison clothes, listened through headphones via an interpreter.
Hellerstein asked Maduro to stand up and confirm his identity. He answered in Spanish.
The judge informed the couple of their right to inform the Venezuelan consulate of their arrest.
Prosecutors say Maduro has been involved in the drug trade since he took office in the Venezuelan National Assembly in 2000 through his tenure as foreign minister and subsequent election in 2013 to replace late president Hugo Chavez.
Maduro's lawyer, Barry Pollack, said he anticipated a large and complex litigation over what he called his client's "military kidnapping." He said Maduro did not ask for his release, but may do so later.
Meanwhile, Flores' lawyer, Mark Donnelly, said his client suffered significant injuries including a severe bruise on his rib and asked that he be given an X-ray and a physical evaluation.
The next hearing is scheduled for March 17.
Federal prosecutors in New York first indicted Maduro in 2020 as part of a long-running drug trafficking case against current and former Venezuelan officials and Colombian guerrillas.
The updated and published indictment on Saturday added some new details and other defendants, including Cilia Flores.
Maduro is accused of overseeing a cocaine trafficking network that partners with violent groups including Mexico's Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, Colombia's FARC rebels, and Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang.
The Venezuelan leader has long denied the charge, saying it was merely a cover for imperialist plans over Venezuela's rich oil reserves.
US President Donald Trump has made no secret of his desire to share Venezuela's oil wealth.
Shares of U.S. oil companies jumped on Monday, buoyed by prospects of access to its vast oil reserves.
The United States has considered Maduro an illegitimate dictator since he declared victory in the 2018 election, which was marred by allegations of massive irregularities.