Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty on Monday (Jan. 5) during their arraignment at a federal court in Manhattan.
The hearing was overseen by Judge Alvin Hellerstein. Barry Joel Pollack, who previously represented Julian Assange, appeared as Maduro’s defence lawyer.
Maduro stood to confirm his name, inside courtroom 26A, saying: “I am.” He added: “I am the president of Venezuela. I was captured at my home in Caracas.”
The judge explained his rights and asked how he pleaded, to which he responded in Spanish: “I am not guilty, I am the president of my country.”
He again asserted his innocence saying: “I am a decent man. I am still the president of my country”.
The judge then turned to Cilia Flores, Sky News reported, asking her to confirm her identity, she replied: “I am. I am the first lady of my country”.
When asked how she pleaded to the counts she was indicted on, she said: “Not guilty. Completely innocent”.
The couple face charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and multiple weapons offences, according to a federal indictment unsealed by US Attorney General Pam Bondi. Maduro requested consular access to Venezuelan diplomats. Bail was denied, and the next court date was set for 17 March.
Maduro and Flores were captured during a US military operation in Venezuela. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has called for Maduro’s return while also signalling openness to dialogue with Washington.
ℹ️ Daily Mirror
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