In a dramatic federal court appearance in New York on Monday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro entered a plea of not guilty to multiple charges following what his government describes as an illegal abduction by U.S. forces. The proceedings marked an unprecedented moment in international relations as a sitting head of state stood shackled before a American magistrate.
Maduro, appearing in prison attire and speaking through an interpreter, asserted his presidential status and declared his innocence before 92-year-old Judge Alvin Hellerstein. “I was kidnapped,” Maduro stated emphatically. “I am a decent man and I am innocent.”
The extraordinary events began in the early hours of Saturday when U.S. special forces allegedly extracted Maduro from Caracas in a operation that included airstrikes on Venezuelan military installations. According to Venezuelan officials, the military action resulted in at least 80 casualties among both security forces and civilians.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi presented charges including Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, and weapons-related offenses dating back to a 2020 indictment originally filed during the Trump administration. The unsealed documents also implicated Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, and their son in alleged drug trafficking operations, with additional accusations of Flores ordering kidnappings and murders.
Both Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court granted consular access to the Venezuelan citizens and scheduled their next appearance for March 17. Observers noted visible injuries on Flores, prompting her legal representation to request medical attention.
The international community responded with sharp divisions. Russia condemned the operation as “an act of armed aggression,” while Iran denounced the “flagrant violation of national sovereignty.” Colombian President Gustavo Petro rejected the aggression against Venezuelan sovereignty, calling for immediate UN and OAS consultations.
European responses proved more measured. EU diplomat Kaja Kallas stopped short of condemnation, instead reiterating that “Maduro lacks legitimacy” while emphasizing the need to respect international law. Germany expressed “great concern” and Spain called for de-escalation.
Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, characterized the operation as having “Zionist undertones” and accused the United States of seeking to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly its oil and mineral wealth.
The case represents a remarkable escalation in the long-standing tensions between the United States and Venezuela, setting potentially far-reaching precedents for international law and the treatment of sitting heads of state.