Ousted Venezuelan Leader Maduro Pleads Not Guilty in New York

Nicolás Maduro, the ousted leader of Venezuela, faced a New York court on Monday to plead not guilty to charges related to drug trafficking. The 63-year-old declared himself a “prisoner of war,” insisting he had been kidnapped during a military operation in Caracas two days prior.

Nicolás Maduro’s Court Appearance

During his court hearing, Maduro asserted his innocence, stating, “I am a decent man.” Alongside him, his co-defendant and wife, Cilia Flores, aged 69, also pleaded not guilty. The presiding judge, Alvin K. Hellerstein, is 92 years old.

Charges Against Maduro

Maduro has been charged with several serious offenses:

• Narcoterrorism
• Conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States
• Possession of assault weapons and destructive devices
• Conspiracy to possess these weapons

He is scheduled to return to court on March 17.

Support for Maduro in Venezuela

In Caracas, thousands of Maduro’s supporters demonstrated in the streets, calling for his release. Among them was his son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, known as “Nicolasito,” who is also mentioned in the U.S. indictment.

In a related development, outgoing Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president. She denounced the U.S. military operation as an “illegitimate aggression.”

Legal Implications of Maduro’s Imprisonment

Maduro’s attorney, Barry Pollack, may argue that Maduro should benefit from sovereign immunity as a former head of state. Legal experts debate whether presidential immunity applies to him, especially given the contested nature of his presidency since he last won re-election in 2024. According to international law, heads of state typically enjoy certain protections against criminal prosecution abroad.

U.S. Response and International Concerns

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, described the military operation in Venezuela as a “surgical police operation.” However, legal scholars warn that such actions could set dangerous precedents regarding state sovereignty and international law.

Concerns have been raised that this approach could encourage further aggressive actions by powerful countries, undermining global legal standards. The U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the importance of respecting the political independence of states during an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council.