Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, displayed a resolute stance during their appearance in a federal Manhattan court today. Maduro adamantly asserted his innocence by declaring, “I deny the charges; I am the leader of my nation.”
Maduro, clad in an orange shirt layered with a blue shirt and beige pants, sat alongside Cilia Flores, who wore similar attire resembling prison garb. The presiding judge, Alvin Hellerstein, aged 92, presided over the arraignment hearing. The charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy, which also involve Flores and others, were read out by the judge.
Represented by Barry Joel Pollack, who previously defended Julian Assange, Maduro confirmed his identity within courtroom 26A, stating, “I am Nicolás Maduro, the president of Venezuela, and I was apprehended at my residence in Caracas.”
Maintaining his innocence, Maduro reiterated, “I am a man of integrity; I still hold the presidential office.” The focus then shifted to Cilia Flores, who confirmed her identity as the first lady of Venezuela when prompted by the judge. She firmly stated her plea of “not guilty; I am entirely innocent” in response to the charges against her.
Maduro requested a consular visit with Venezuelan diplomats to exercise his rights. During the hearing, it was revealed that both defendants required medical attention. Maduro’s lawyer cited “health and medical issues,” while Flores’ representative mentioned her severe rib bruising.
The brief arraignment session, lasting approximately 30 minutes, marked the initial stage of a potentially lengthy legal process as Maduro and Flores remain detained in the US. Escorted under tight security, the couple was transferred from a Brooklyn jail to a Manhattan courthouse.
Following their transport, Maduro was flown in a helicopter from an athletic field to a Manhattan heliport, where he was then transferred to an armored vehicle due to physical discomfort. Subsequently, the law enforcement convoy arrived at the courthouse complex for further proceedings.
The federal indictment, comprising 25 pages, accuses President Maduro, his wife, and four others of narco-terrorism conspiracy and related offenses. The indictment also outlines charges of cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of firearms and explosives, and conspiracy to possess such items.
The couple had been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn before their court appearance. Their capture in a nighttime military operation led by Delta Force soldiers resulted in the loss of lives and involved the seizure of Maduro and Flores from a highly secure residence on a military base.
Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, initially demanded Maduro’s return but later expressed willingness to collaborate with President Trump and foster amicable relations with the US. The court scheduled the next hearing for March 17, with no bail offered to Maduro and his wife.