Maduro Pleads Not Guilty to Narco-Terrorism Charges in US Court - Newstrends
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Maduro Pleads Not Guilty to Narco-Terrorism Charges in US Court

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Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

Maduro Pleads Not Guilty to Narco-Terrorism Charges in US Court

Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Monday pleaded not guilty to multiple drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges during his arraignment at a US federal court in New York, following his dramatic capture by United States forces earlier this month.

Maduro, 63, and his wife, Cilia Flores, were arrested on January 3 in a US military operation and later indicted over their alleged roles in an international cocaine trafficking conspiracy. Both defendants entered not-guilty pleas at their initial court appearance.

The arraignment took place amid duelling protests outside the federal courthouse, where demonstrators both supporting and condemning Maduro’s arrest gathered under heavy police presence. One group waved placards backing US President Donald Trump, while another called for Maduro’s immediate release, accusing Washington of imperial overreach. Police barricades separated the opposing sides, many of whom were Venezuelan nationals.

Maduro pleaded not guilty to four criminal counts, including narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.

“I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country,” Maduro said through an interpreter during the proceedings.

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US prosecutors allege that Maduro oversaw a long-running cocaine smuggling network linked to violent groups such as Mexico’s Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, Colombia’s FARC rebels, and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. The alleged activities, they said, date back to his time in the Venezuelan National Assembly in 2000 and continued through his tenure as foreign minister and presidency following his 2013 election.

Maduro has consistently rejected the accusations, describing them as a pretext for US efforts to control Venezuela’s vast oil resources.

During the hearing, US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein formally read out the charges and confirmed the identities of the accused. Maduro, dressed in orange and beige prison attire, followed the proceedings through headphones with the assistance of an interpreter. The court also informed the couple of their right to notify the Venezuelan consulate.

Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, said the defence expected prolonged legal battles, describing his client’s arrest as a “military abduction.” He added that Maduro was not seeking bail at this stage. Counsel to Flores, Mark Donnelly, told the court that she had suffered serious injuries, including bruised ribs, and requested medical examinations.

The case was adjourned until March 17.

US prosecutors first charged Maduro in 2020 as part of a sweeping narcotics investigation involving current and former Venezuelan officials and Colombian guerrilla groups. A revised indictment, released over the weekend, added new details and co-defendants, including Flores.

The United States has refused to recognise Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader since the disputed 2018 election, which Washington says was marred by widespread irregularities. Meanwhile, some international law experts have questioned the legality of the US raid, warning it could undermine the rules-based global order.

Maduro Pleads Not Guilty to Narco-Terrorism Charges in US Court

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US Government Accused of Cover-Up in Trump Epstein Sexual Abuse Files

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U.S President Donald Trump

US Government Accused of Cover-Up in Trump Epstein Sexual Abuse Files

Democratic lawmakers have accused the United States government of orchestrating the “largest government cover-up in modern history” over allegations that crucial documents relating to Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were withheld from the public. The controversy centers on missing FBI interview summaries tied to a 2019 sexual abuse complaint against the former U.S. president.

The House Oversight Committee, led by Representative Robert Garcia, claims that the Department of Justice (DOJ) failed to release more than 50 pages of interview notes with a woman who alleges she was sexually abused by Trump in the mid-1980s, when she was 13 to 15 years old. While the DOJ released millions of pages under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, investigators and media outlets, including NPR, found that only one summary focusing on Epstein’s actions appears publicly, leaving key follow-up materials missing.

“This is the largest government cover-up in modern history. We are demanding answers,” said Democrats on the Oversight Committee in a statement. Garcia confirmed that his team reviewed unredacted DOJ logs and concluded that FBI interviews with the survivor were not properly disclosed. He announced a parallel congressional investigation to ensure all records are produced.

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The DOJ has denied any wrongdoing, explaining that some materials may fall under exempt categories, such as duplicates, privileged records, or documents linked to ongoing investigations. Officials added that any documents improperly tagged or temporarily removed for privacy reasons will be restored. The department stated it is reviewing flagged files to ensure compliance with the law.

The woman at the center of the allegations first contacted authorities in July 2019, shortly after Epstein’s arrest on sex trafficking charges. Internal DOJ references describe her claim that Epstein introduced her to Trump, who then allegedly assaulted her. However, the public FBI summary does not evaluate the credibility of these allegations, and follow-up interview notes remain unavailable.

Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the release of the Epstein Files exonerates him. White House statements dismissed cover-up claims as politically motivated, asserting that no law enforcement agency has accused Trump of criminal conduct related to Epstein.

Legal experts and transparency advocates warn that withholding such key materials undermines public trust in U.S. institutions, particularly in high-profile cases involving political figures. The unfolding investigation is expected to intensify scrutiny on the DOJ’s handling of sensitive documents and the broader accountability of government agencies in politically charged cases.

US Government Accused of Cover-Up in Trump Epstein Sexual Abuse Files

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Nigeria Joins 106 Nations in UN Vote Calling for Ceasefire, Peace in Ukraine

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United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly

Nigeria Joins 106 Nations in UN Vote Calling for Ceasefire, Peace in Ukraine

On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Nigeria joined 106 other UN member states in voting for a resolution calling for peace, sovereignty, and humanitarian protection for Ukraine. The vote took place during an emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

The resolution, titled “Support for Lasting Peace in Ukraine”, was adopted with 107 votes in favour, 12 against, and 51 abstentions, including the United States. It calls for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners of war, and the return of civilians forcibly transferred, including children. The General Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders.

UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described the war as shattering the peaceful aspirations of Europe and stressed that “war must never be the new normal.” She highlighted that generations in Europe have long lived in peace, but Russia’s invasion disrupted this reality.

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UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the conflict a “stain on our collective conscience” and a continuing threat to regional and international security. He warned that prolonged warfare increases civilian casualties, with 2025 witnessing the highest number of civilian deaths in Ukraine since the invasion began. Guterres urged the international community to “use every diplomatic tool” to secure a full and unconditional ceasefire as a first step toward lasting peace.

During the session, Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa condemned the invasion as a “war against the rules-based international order,” citing attacks on civilians, nuclear threats, and the forced deportation of children as potential war crimes. She reiterated that Ukraine rejects territorial concessions, insists on sovereignty as a red line, and called for stronger sanctions, air defense, binding security guarantees, and accountability for war crimes.

Conversely, the Russian Federation’s delegate rejected the resolution’s narrative, accusing European states of escalating the war while ignoring negotiations. Moscow reaffirmed its preference for diplomacy and stated that any settlement must address “root causes” and reflect “new territorial realities.”

The resolution demonstrates the broad international support for Ukraine, highlights Nigeria’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy, and emphasizes the urgent need for peaceful conflict resolution and adherence to international law as Russia’s invasion enters its fifth year.

Nigeria Joins 106 Nations in UN Vote Calling for Ceasefire, Peace in Ukraine

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Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan

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Israeli settlers torch West Bank mosque

Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan

TELL, West Bank — Israeli settlers have vandalized and set fire to the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, authorities confirmed, marking the latest in a series of attacks on Palestinian religious sites amid a surge in settler violence. The attack occurred early Monday during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Worshippers arriving for morning prayers discovered the mosque’s entrance smoldering, with black smoke staining the doorway and broken glass scattered across the area. According to the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Religious Affairs, settlers spray-painted offensive graffiti, including derogatory references to Islam and slogans linked to extremist “price tag” operations.

Local resident Munir Ramdan described the scene: “I was shocked when I opened the door. The fire had been burning here, the glass was broken, and the door was damaged.” Security footage reportedly shows two individuals carrying gasoline and spray paint approaching the mosque before fleeing the scene.

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The incident is part of a broader pattern of attacks on mosques in the West Bank, with the Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs reporting that 45 mosques were vandalized or attacked last year. Residents said the assault was a deliberate provocation during Ramadan, targeting both the religious sanctity of the mosque and the spiritual practice of fasting.

The Israeli military and police responded to reports of the incident and are actively searching for suspects. While the military condemned harm to religious institutions, Palestinian officials and rights groups say Israeli authorities often fail to hold settlers accountable for violence.

The attack comes amid a recent rise in settler violence, including last week’s killing of a 19-year-old Palestinian-American, Nasrallah Abu Siyam, highlighting ongoing tensions between settlers and Palestinian communities in the occupied territories.

Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan

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