Ousted Venezuelan Leader Nicolás Maduro Pleads Not Guilty in U.S. Court

New York – Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared Monday in a Manhattan federal courtroom to face charges of narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and related offenses, entering a plea of not guilty. His wife, Cilia Flores, also appeared and pleaded not guilty to similar charges.

Maduro, who was deposed in a dramatic weekend operation led by U.S. forces, told the court through an interpreter that he remains the legitimate president of Venezuela. “I am a decent man,” he said, calling his detention a form of military capture or “kidnapping.”

The unprecedented operation, which led to the apprehension of the former Venezuelan leader and his wife, has triggered widespread international attention and diplomatic debate. The legal proceedings are now set to continue, with a next court date scheduled for March 17, 2026.

The removal of Maduro has also sparked political upheaval in Venezuela. Delcy Rodríguez has been sworn in as interim president amid ongoing instability, raising questions about the country’s future and the international community’s response.

U.S. officials have emphasized that the charges are part of a broader crackdown on narcotics-related crimes and terrorism, while critics argue that the intervention could set a controversial precedent for foreign operations against foreign leaders.

The world now watches as Maduro faces the American justice system, marking a historic moment in U.S.-Venezuelan relations.