Venezuela LIVE: Ousted President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have pleaded not guilty in a US court, after they were captured by the US military over the weekend in a dramatic operation ordered by President Donald Trump
Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has pleaded not guilty in a US court, insisting that he is still the president of the country. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by the US military over the weekend in a dramatic operation ordered by US President Donald Trump.
Maduro, 63, told a federal judge in Manhattan, “I’m innocent. I’m not guilty,” as he appeared in court for a hearing on charges of drug trafficking and other crimes. His wife similarly pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.
Smiling as he entered the courtroom, Maduro spoke softly, wearing an orange shirt with beige trousers.
“I’m president of the Republic of Venezuela and I’m here kidnapped since January 3, Saturday,” Maduro told the court, speaking in Spanish through an interpreter. “I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.”
Maduro and his wife were transferred to a Brooklyn jail after their appearance at the Manhattan federal court. According to a report by ABC News, neither of the duo will seek bail in the cases against them. The judge assigned to their case has said that he is open to receiving their bail application, but the couple will otherwise remain detained at MDC-Brooklyn.
