Nicolás Maduro officially pleaded not guilty in a New York courtroom on Monday, following his high-stakes overnight capture by the U.S. Army on Saturday. He also claimed that he continues to serve as Venezuela’s head of state while in federal custody.
After reportedly waiving his right to have the indictment against him read in court, Maduro was asked for his plea by U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
Maduro replied, “I am innocent, I am not guilty, I am a decent man. I am still president of my country,” according to Courthouse News reporter Josh Russell.
His wife, Cilia Flores de Maduro, similarly told the judge she was “not guilty, completely innocent.”
It was additionally reported that Maduro will make a bid for pretrial release on March 17, when the next hearing for the case is scheduled.
Maduro was originally indicted in New York in 2020, and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Saturday unsealed the latest charges against the former Venezuelan leader and his wife. The indictment also charges other alleged criminal associates, including Maduro’s son.
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- by: Tom Pappert
- 2026-01-05
- Source:
https://tennesseestar.com/justice/maduro-pleads-not-guilty-retains-lawyer-famous-for-representing-julian-assange-and-enron-executives/tpappert/2026/01/05/
- 01/06/2026