Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty on Monday to U.S. federal charges related to narco-terrorism during his first court appearance in New York, two days after he was captured by U.S. forces in Caracas.
Key facts
Maduro and his wife, Venezuelan First Lady Cilia Flores, were arraigned in a Manhattan federal court on charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.
Speaking through a translator, Maduro told the court he was “innocent” and said he had been “kidnapped.” Flores also entered a not-guilty plea, stating she was “completely innocent.”
Maduro is being represented by trial lawyer Barry J. Pollack, a partner at Harris, St. Laurent & Wechsler. Court filings show Pollack previously represented high-profile clients in major federal cases.
Before the hearing, Maduro and Flores were transported from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to the Manhattan courthouse under heavy security, traveling by helicopter and armored vehicle.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, a 92-year-old jurist appointed to the federal bench in 1998.
Pollack told the court Maduro is not seeking release at this time, though Judge Hellerstein noted he may apply for bail later. The hearing lasted roughly 30 minutes, and the next court date was set for March 17.
Charges
The U.S. Justice Department unsealed a new indictment following Maduro’s capture, charging him with narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons.
Flores is also named in the indictment, along with several Venezuelan officials still inside the country, including the interior minister and Maduro’s son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra. The indictment additionally names the alleged leader of the Tren de Aragua gang, although a previous U.S. intelligence assessment concluded the Venezuelan government did not control the group.
Background
Maduro was captured by U.S. forces during a raid on a Venezuelan military compound in Caracas. He has served as Venezuela’s president since 2013 and has long faced allegations of corruption, election manipulation, and drug trafficking.
The U.S. first indicted Maduro on drug-related charges during the first Trump administration. Following the operation—dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve”—President Donald Trump said the United States was prepared to deploy “boots on the ground” and suggested U.S. oil companies could play a role in rebuilding Venezuela’s petroleum industry.
In the months leading up to the operation, the U.S. significantly increased its military presence in the Caribbean, conducting strikes against alleged drug traffickers at sea and seizing sanctioned oil tankers. In December, Washington declared a complete blockade of sanctioned vessels leaving Venezuela.
What’s next
Maduro is expected to challenge the legality of his capture and may argue he is entitled to head-of-state immunity, a claim the U.S. disputes because it does not recognize him as Venezuela’s legitimate president.
The case is expected to trigger prolonged legal and diplomatic battles, with major implications for U.S.–Latin America relations.
