New York, January 6, 2026 — Nicolás Maduro, the ousted president of Venezuela, appeared in a Manhattan federal courtroom on Monday, January 5, 2026, where he pleaded not guilty to federal charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons-related offenses. His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty to similar charges during the same arraignment hearing.
Maduro, captured by U.S. special forces in a dramatic military operation in Caracas over the weekend and flown to New York, declared his innocence emphatically. "I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country," Maduro stated in Spanish through an interpreter, before U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein interrupted him.
When initially asked to identify himself, Maduro responded, "I am the president of the Republic of Venezuela," and added, "I was captured in my home in Venezuela," prompting another interruption from the judge. Maduro further claimed he had been "kidnapped" and described himself as a "prisoner of war." He told the court he had seen the indictment but had not fully read it, and he waived a formal reading of the charges.
Upon being informed of his rights, including the right to remain silent and to an attorney, Maduro remarked, "I did not know of these rights. Your honor is informing me of them now."
Cilia Flores, appearing alongside her husband and showing visible bandages on her forehead and temple—possibly from injuries sustained during the capture—introduced herself as the "first lady of the Republic of Venezuela" and pleaded "not guilty—completely innocent" to her three counts.
The hearing, which lasted less than an hour, was presided over by Judge Hellerstein, a 92-year-old veteran jurist appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1998. Hellerstein has handled numerous high-profile cases, including those related to 9/11 litigation, the Trump hush money proceedings, and prior matters involving Maduro co-defendants. The judge set the next court date for March 17, 2026, and ordered both defendants detained pending trial.
Maduro is represented by prominent defense attorney Barry Pollack, a Washington-based lawyer known for negotiating the 2024 plea deal that secured the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Pollack has indicated that the defense will challenge the legality of Maduro's capture, potentially arguing head-of-state immunity and violations of international law. Flores is represented by attorney Mark Donnelly.
The charges stem from a 2020 indictment alleging that Maduro and associates, including Flores, led a 25-year "narco-terrorism" conspiracy involving the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to flood the United States with cocaine. Prosecutors claim the operation enriched the regime and funded its activities, with Maduro allegedly overseeing the "Cartel of the Suns," a network involving Venezuelan military officials.
If convicted on all counts, Maduro could face life in prison. The case revives comparisons to the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama and capture of General Manuel Noriega, who was later convicted on drug charges in Miami.
The arraignment follows President Donald Trump's announcement of the successful U.S. military operation that removed Maduro from power. Trump has stated that the U.S. will temporarily "run" Venezuela and gain greater access to its oil reserves, while interim leadership has been assumed by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas.
International reaction has been sharply divided. Several Latin American nations and allies like Russia and China condemned the operation as a violation of sovereignty, while some opposition figures and U.S. allies expressed support for ending Maduro's rule. Protests erupted outside the courthouse, with supporters decrying the action as "kidnapping" and opponents celebrating.
Legal experts anticipate complex pretrial motions, including challenges to jurisdiction, immunity, and the admissibility of evidence gathered abroad. The case could set precedents for prosecuting foreign leaders and test the boundaries of U.S. extraterritorial enforcement.
As Venezuela navigates the power vacuum, with reports of unrest in Caracas and heightened security, the trial promises to be a protracted and politically charged affair, drawing global scrutiny to U.S. foreign policy in Trump's second term.
