Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro made his first appearance before the US federal judiciary at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse in Manhattan on Monday evening, in a session lasting approximately half an hour.
The deposed leader faces charges including drug-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine-importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.
“I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man,” Maduro told judge Alvin Hellerstein in court.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were brought before the court without handcuffs and equipped with special headsets providing simultaneous Spanish translation. Maduro was seen in ankle shakles and his wife had two large bandaids on her face.
Flores also denied all charges and told court she is: "Innocent, completely innocent."
Court procedure
At the start of the proceedings, Maduro confirmed his identity and stated that he had been arrested at his home in Caracas along with his wife. The judge informed him of his rights, including the right to legal representation and the possibility of release on bail.
Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, noted that bail is not being requested at this stage but left the possibility open for the future. Pollack also indicated that legal arguments might be raised regarding Maduro’s status as the head of a sovereign state, adding that there are questions about the legality of his military arrest.
Arrest details
When asked about the date and time of the arrest, the prosecutor responded that the defendants were taken into custody at 11:30 a.m. on 3 January, without providing further details about the operation.
Maduro and Flores requested consular visits, which the court confirmed would be allowed.
The proceedings concluded at 7:37 p.m., with the substantive testimony of Maduro scheduled to begin on 17 March.