Vienezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has rejected all charges brought against him in a US federal court, declaring his innocence and claiming that he was forcibly abducted and unlawfully transferred to the United States.
Maduro and his wife were transported under heavy security from Brooklyn to Manhattan by helicopter before being taken to court in an armored vehicle, according to US media reports. The high-profile transfer reflected the extraordinary security measures surrounding the case.
During the court appearance, Maduro was presented in a prisoner’s uniform, handcuffed as he entered the courtroom. To follow the proceedings, which were conducted in English, he wore headphones for Spanish translation, underscoring the unusual and highly charged nature of the hearing.
When asked by the judge to identify himself, Maduro stated that he is the President of Venezuela. The judge then formally read out a series of serious charges against him, including allegations related to narcotics trafficking and terrorism.
Maduro firmly denied all accusations, refusing to enter a guilty plea. Addressing the court, he said he was an innocent and civilized man, insisting that he remains the legitimate president of his country. He categorically rejected all allegations and claimed that his detention was the result of an illegal abduction rather than a lawful arrest.
Maduro’s wife also addressed the court, asserting her complete innocence and dismissing the charges against her as baseless.
The judge scheduled the next court hearing for March 17, granting a lengthy adjournment in the case.
It is worth noting that Nicolás Maduro was transferred to a New York detention facility after being brought to the United States on Sunday. US authorities state that Maduro and his wife were taken into custody during a US military operation conducted in Venezuela on Saturday an action that has sparked widespread international controversy and diplomatic concern.