Deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has pleaded not guilty to multiple criminal charges filed against him by the United States, including narco-terrorism, weapons offences, and conspiracy to import cocaine.
Maduro, 63, entered his plea before a federal judge in Manhattan, insisting that he was forcibly taken from Venezuela.
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“I’m innocent, I’m not guilty. I’m still the president of my country,” Maduro was quoted as telling the court.
Charges Against Maduro and His Wife
US prosecutors allege that Maduro was involved in a long-running conspiracy to traffic cocaine into the United States while supporting violent criminal networks.
His wife, Cilia Flores, who was charged alongside him, also pleaded not guilty.
The case marks one of the most significant legal actions ever taken by the US against a sitting or former Latin American leader.
Maduro Claims Kidnapping
During the hearing, Maduro claimed he was kidnapped, rejecting the legitimacy of the US court proceedings and maintaining that he remains Venezuela’s rightful leader.
The trial is expected to have far-reaching political and diplomatic implications, particularly for US–Latin America relations.
