Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday to face narco-terrorism charges. US forces captured him and flew him to the city.
In court, he described himself as a ‘kidnapped president’ and a ‘prisoner of war’.
Brought to court under tight security, Maduro and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty. The allegations appeared in a 25-page indictment.
Through a translator, Maduro said, “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. Still the president of my country.”
Flores also spoke, stating, “I am the first lady of the Republic of Venezuela.”
On Saturday morning, US Delta Force troops seized Maduro and Flores from a Venezuelan military base. They then transported them via helicopter to New York.
Their lawyer, Barry Pollack, said he might challenge the arrest. He argued that a sitting head of state enjoys sovereign immunity. He also questioned the legality of the military operation used to detain them.
Meanwhile, US officials, including President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, insisted that the operation was law enforcement, not a military act.
The US government charged the couple with narco-terrorism conspiracy. They also face money laundering, possession of machine guns, and possession of destructive devices. Authorities accused them of collaborating with terrorist organisations in Colombia.
Some charges carry the potential for the death penalty. Additionally, Flores faces bribery accusations linked to drug cartels.
The authorities house the couple in a federal lockup that judges have criticised for its poor conditions. They escorted Maduro and Flores in high-security convoys and helicopters to the 26th-floor courtroom.
Despite the strict security, Maduro greeted the court with a calm ‘Buenos dias’.
Flores appeared with bandages on her forehead, reportedly from injuries sustained during the US operation.
Outside the courthouse, police separated hundreds of supporters and opponents. Both groups waved Venezuelan flags and chanted slogans for their causes.
The court hearing took place before 92-year-old Judge Alvin Hellerstein. He serves as a senior judge, a post-retirement position that allows him to continue hearing cases.
Appointed by Bill Clinton in 1998, Hellerstein has presided over several high-profile cases, including those related to the 9/11 attacks.
Also Read: Man Detained After Vandalism At Residence Linked To JD Vance In Ohio
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
