Nicolás Maduro Pleads Not Guilty to Narco‑Terrorism Charges in U.S. Court
New York: Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro appeared in a Manhattan federal courtroom on Monday and pleaded not guilty to charges of narco‑terrorism and drug trafficking filed by the United States. The court appearance marks the first time Maduro has formally faced U.S. justice following his capture during a controversial U.S. operation in Caracas over the weekend.
Maduro, along with his wife Cilia Flores, who is also facing related charges, was brought under heavy guard from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to the Southern District of New York courthouse. The couple stood before the judge as legal proceedings began in a case that has drawn intense international attention.
The U.S. indictment accuses Maduro of leading a long-running criminal enterprise that involved trafficking cocaine into the United States while allegedly collaborating with terrorist organizations. Charges include narco‑terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons offenses involving machine guns and destructive devices. Prosecutors claim that Maduro used his decades of political power to protect and facilitate these illegal operations, with other high-ranking officials and family members also named as co-defendants.
In court, Maduro formally denied all allegations. His defense team is expected to challenge the legality of his capture and question the U.S. court’s jurisdiction, citing claims of sovereign immunity. U.S. officials, however, maintain that Maduro is not recognized as Venezuela’s legitimate leader following contested elections and international disputes.
The case has triggered significant international debate. The U.S. operation to detain Maduro has drawn criticism from countries including China and Cuba, as well as from several European and Latin American nations, which called the raid a violation of international law. An emergency session of the United Nations Security Council was convened amid escalating diplomatic tensions.
Legal experts in the United States have noted that the case could set a precedent regarding the limits of U.S. power to prosecute foreign leaders. Comparisons have been made to the 1989 capture of Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega. Meanwhile, outside the courthouse, protests both supporting and opposing Maduro have underscored the polarized reaction to the proceedings.
If convicted on the narco-terrorism charge, Maduro could face life imprisonment under U.S. law. Court proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with intense international scrutiny on how the case unfolds.
