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

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