Venezuela’s former leader Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty to multiple federal charges during his first appearance before a New York federal court on Monday, CNN reported.
During the hearing, Maduro questioned the legality of his arrest, telling the judge that he was detained at his home in Caracas, Venezuela. “I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela,” he said, speaking directly to the court shortly after the proceedings began.
His statement signaled a key part of his legal strategy, as his defence team is expected to argue that his arrest by US authorities on foreign soil was unlawful. Maduro’s lawyers have described the operation as a “military abduction,” claiming it violated international law and due process. They are likely to challenge the jurisdiction of US courts based on how he was taken into custody.
CNN noted that similar arguments have been raised in the past. More than three decades ago, Panama’s former leader Manuel Noriega claimed his arrest followed an illegal US invasion. However, US courts rejected that defence and focused only on the charges in his indictment. It remains unclear whether courts will reconsider that precedent in Maduro’s case.
It is unusual for defendants to speak during an initial court appearance, as lawyers typically advise against it. Judge Alvin Hellerstein cautioned Maduro during the hearing, saying, “There will be a time and a place to go into all of this.”
Maduro’s court appearance followed his capture during a US military operation on Saturday. After the operation, President Donald Trump said the United States was “in charge,” while Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, called for cooperation with Washington, CNN reported.
US officials have said they are working toward establishing an interim government in Venezuela. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the focus remains on shaping policy and maintaining leverage.
Around the same time, President Trump made broader comments on international issues, including remarks about Colombia, drug trafficking in Mexico, and US interest in Greenland.
According to the Trump administration, the case stems from a pre-dawn operation inside Venezuela in which Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained, taken to a US naval vessel, and later flown to New York.
US authorities say Maduro is expected to face several charges, including narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and weapons-related offenses. The operation followed months of increased US military activity in the region, including strikes on vessels Washington claims were linked to drug trafficking. These actions reportedly resulted in more than 115 deaths and have raised concerns among some legal experts about possible violations of international law.
Legal action against Maduro began during Trump’s first term. A new indictment unsealed on Saturday added further allegations of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said on social media that Maduro and others would face justice in US courts. President Trump also added a political dimension to the case, saying the US would oversee Venezuela until a safe transition of power and referring to American oil interests in the country. (Agencies)
