Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a United States federal courtroom on Monday, January 5, 2026, and pleaded not-guilty plea to charges, including narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking and weapons offences.
Maduro, was brought into the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York,.accompanied by his wife, Cilia Flores, who also pleaded not guilty to related charges, after a stunning U.S. special forces operation removed the Venezuelan leader from power in Caracas over the weekend.
“I’m innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country,” Maduro said in court, asserting that he was seized from Venezuela in what he characterized as a kidnapping by U.S. forces.
Therefore, Judge Hellerstein did not entertain extended arguments during the arraignment but confirmed that both Maduro and Flores would remain in custody pending future proceedings.
The criminal case against Maduro and his associates, which has been ongoing in a federal district since initial indictments filed years earlier, includes multiple serious counts. Prosecutors allege that the former president oversaw an extensive network that trafficked large quantities of cocaine into the United States, engaged in narco-terrorism, and unlawfully possessed machine guns and other destructive devices.
Additionally, Flores, Maduro’s longtime political partner and former First Lady, also entered a not-guilty plea. Her defence team has raised concerns about alleged injuries she sustained during their capture.
The next scheduled court appearance for Maduro and Flores is set for March 17, 2026, when pre-trial motions and procedural matters will be addressed. Legal observers note that the case could take months or years to unfold fully, with implications for international justice and U.S.–Venezuela relations.
Maduro’s defence has already signalled plans to challenge the legality of his capture and assert claims of immunity based on his status as a former head of state, legal arguments that will likely be pivotal in the months ahead.
