Maduro, his wife plead not guilty to US gun, drug charges
"I am innocent. I am not guilty of anything that is mentioned here," Maduro told US Judge Alvin Hellerstein, according to reports. Flores similarly stated, "not guilty. Completely innocent," when asked to enter her plea.
The judge informed both that they are entitled to consular visits, which they requested. Neither sought bail at this time.
Maduro faces a four-count indictment alleging he led a decades-long narco-terrorism conspiracy aimed at flooding the United States with cocaine. Prosecutors claim he coordinated with armed groups and senior Venezuelan officials to facilitate large-scale drug trafficking, leveraging state institutions to support these operations.
The charges were unsealed after Maduro and Flores were transferred to New York on Saturday following a US military operation that resulted in their capture. They remain in federal custody at a Brooklyn detention facility.
“I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela," Maduro said, claiming that he was "kidnapped" by US forces.
Following his detention, Venezuela’s Supreme Court directed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to immediately assume the role of acting president. US President Donald Trump has pledged to assert American control over the country temporarily, including the potential use of US troops if necessary.
Barry Pollack, representing Maduro, indicated that the defense may challenge the legality of his detention, stating, "there are questions about the legality of his military abduction." Pollack previously represented Julian Assange, negotiating a deal that led to the Wikileaks founder’s release.
Judge Hellerstein set March 17 as the next court date for Maduro. Flores is being represented by Mark Donnelly, a Houston-based white-collar attorney and former Justice Department prosecutor.
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