Nicolás Maduro Appears in U.S. Court After Capture, Pleads Not Guilty to Narco-Terrorism and Drug Trafficking Charges

New York / Caracas — Nicolás Maduro, the deposed President of Venezuela, made a high-profile appearance in a U.S. federal court in New York following his capture in a controversial U.S. military operation in Caracas. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to charges including narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking, and organized crime, denying all allegations amid one of the most significant international legal proceedings in recent history.

In court, Maduro asserted his innocence and declared that he remains the legitimate president of Venezuela, describing his capture as “a kidnapping” by U.S. forces and likening his situation to that of a prisoner of war. The initial hearing focused on procedural matters, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for March 17, 2026.

The U.S. grand jury indictment accuses Maduro and Flores of long-term involvement in drug trafficking networks and other criminal activities under U.S. law. Legal experts note that this case marks a historic moment in U.S. judicial history, as it involves a foreign head of state facing prosecution on narcotics and terrorism charges.

The military operation that led to Maduro’s arrest has sparked widespread international controversy. Following his ousting, Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in by loyalist elements of the government. Rodríguez strongly criticized the U.S. action while signaling a cautious willingness to engage in dialogue with Washington under certain conditions.

The operation also resulted in casualties among Cuban nationals, with Cuba reporting the deaths of dozens of its citizens, including military personnel, during the raid. This has escalated regional tensions and raised concerns over the legality and implications of the operation in Latin America.

U.S. political leaders, including Senator Marco Rubio, emphasized that Washington’s goal is not to govern Venezuela but to press for political and economic reforms, maintain diplomatic pressure, and uphold sanctions while supporting efforts for democratic transition.

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