Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan leader, entered a defiant not guilty plea in a Manhattan federal court on Monday, following his capture in Caracas over the weekend. The arraignment, part of a US 'narco-terrorism' case brought under the Trump administration, saw Maduro declare 'soy inocente' (I am innocent) and 'no soy culpable' (I am not guilty).
Maduro, wearing a blue shirt over a neon orange top and khaki pants, was restrained by ankle shackles but not handcuffed. He greeted the public gallery with 'Happy new year!' in English, while his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared with bandages on her face, reportedly from injuries sustained during her capture. Both listened to proceedings via Spanish translation headphones.
During the hearing, Maduro insisted he was the legitimate president of Venezuela, stating, 'I am here, kidnapped since 3 January. I was captured in my home.' Judge Alvin Hellerstein reminded him that there would be a time and place for such arguments. Maduro shook his head at the charges and scribbled notes, at one point asking to keep his notebooks, a request the prosecution agreed to facilitate.
Flores also pleaded not guilty, describing herself as the first lady of Venezuela. Her attorney cited injuries from her 'abduction', including a potential rib fracture. Neither Maduro nor Flores requested bail but reserved the right to do so later. The judge scheduled a conference for 17 March.
As Maduro was led out, a US marshal confiscated a pen he had tucked into his notepad. Shouts from the gallery accused him of being an illegitimate president, to which Maduro responded, 'I’m a kidnapped president – a prisoner of war!'
