“I Am Innocent, I Am Still My Country’s President”: Maduro Tells New York Court

New York, Jan 5, 2026 — Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Monday pleaded not guilty in a federal court in New York, declaring himself innocent and insisting that he remains the legitimate president of his country. It was his first public appearance since being captured in a US operation ordered by President Donald Trump, according to Reuters.
The 63-year-old is facing four serious charges, including narcoterrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.
Speaking through a court-appointed interpreter, Maduro told the court: “I am innocent. I am not a criminal. I am a decent man. I am still my country’s president.” He was interrupted before finishing his statement by US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, who is also facing charges, entered a not-guilty plea. The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 17.
During the hearing, Maduro appeared in an orange-and-brown prison uniform. He was transported under heavy security from a Brooklyn detention facility to the Manhattan courthouse by helicopter, with his hands restrained using zip-tie cuffs.
US prosecutors allege that Maduro was involved in international drug trafficking from as early as 2000, when he was a member of Venezuela’s National Assembly, continuing through his tenure as foreign minister and later as president from 2013 onward. The indictment accuses him of collaborating with violent groups including Mexico’s Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, as well as Colombia’s FARC rebels, to operate large-scale cocaine trafficking networks.
Maduro has long denied the allegations, claiming they were fabricated to justify foreign intervention aimed at seizing Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
US President Donald Trump has made little effort to conceal Washington’s intentions regarding Venezuelan oil. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said, “They stole it. We’re taking it back. Now we’re in charge.” He added that American oil companies would return to Venezuela to rebuild the country’s energy infrastructure.
Although Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves—estimated at 303 billion barrels—production has sharply declined due to mismanagement and years of US sanctions.
The operation marks the most dramatic US intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama. Russia’s foreign ministry and China have strongly condemned the move, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over instability in Venezuela and questioned the legality of the operation. International law experts have warned that the action undermines the rules-based international order.
Despite Maduro’s detention, senior figures from his administration remain in power in Caracas. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez initially described the incident as a “kidnapping for oil theft” but later softened her tone, calling for a “cooperation agenda” with Washington.
Inside Venezuela, authorities have ordered the arrest of police officers accused of supporting Saturday’s US operation. Meanwhile, Maduro’s opponents in Caracas have refrained from large-scale celebrations, as the military has yet to switch sides and effective control remains in the hands of Maduro loyalists.