Deposed Venezuelan President Maduro, wife plead not guilty at first US court hearing
The case is expected to turn into a long legal fight, with their lawyers likely to challenge the legality of how they were arrested.
PTC News Desk: At their first court hearing in New York, Venezuela’s removed leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to all charges. They accused the United States government of forcibly taking them from Venezuela. According to CNN, both denied the allegations of drug trafficking and weapons offences and did not oppose staying in custody for now.
The case is expected to turn into a long legal fight, with their lawyers likely to challenge the legality of how they were arrested.
After the military operation that led to Maduro’s arrest, US President Donald Trump said, “We’re in charge.” The Trump administration has also said it will closely watch the situation in Venezuela under interim leadership. Meanwhile, Maduro’s longtime vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, was sworn in as acting president on Monday.
In court, Maduro spoke in Spanish while standing up to confirm his identity. His words were translated into English. He told the judge that he was “captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela,” and added, “I am still president of my country.” He later said, “I am innocent. I am not guilty of anything mentioned here. I am a decent man.”
CNN reported that it was unclear how much of Maduro’s statement was fully translated in court. The judge said Maduro would be allowed to speak in detail later about his arrest and the charges.
Maduro’s lawyer confirmed that not guilty pleas were entered for all four charges. His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty, saying in Spanish that she was “completely innocent.”