New York – Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared Monday in a Manhattan federal courtroom to face expenses of narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and associated offenses, coming into a plea of not responsible. His spouse, Cilia Flores, additionally appeared and pleaded not responsible to comparable expenses.
Maduro, who was deposed in a dramatic weekend operation led by U.S. forces, informed the courtroom via an interpreter that he stays the reliable president of Venezuela. “I’m a good man,” he mentioned, calling his detention a type of army seize or “kidnapping.”
The unprecedented operation, which led to the apprehension of the previous Venezuelan chief and his spouse, has triggered widespread worldwide consideration and diplomatic debate. The authorized proceedings at the moment are set to proceed, with a subsequent courtroom date scheduled for March 17, 2026.
The elimination of Maduro has additionally sparked political upheaval in Venezuela. Delcy Rodríguez has been sworn in as interim president amid ongoing instability, elevating questions in regards to the nation’s future and the worldwide neighborhood’s response.
U.S. officers have emphasised that the costs are a part of a broader crackdown on narcotics-related crimes and terrorism, whereas critics argue that the intervention might set a controversial precedent for overseas operations in opposition to overseas leaders.
The world now watches as Maduro faces the American justice system, marking a historic second in U.S.-Venezuelan relations.
