In a dramatic courtroom spectacle that captured international attention, former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro delivered a defiant performance during his first U.S. court appearance on Monday. The deposed president, clad in orange prison attire beneath a dark shirt, pleaded not guilty to narcotics and weapons charges while declaring himself a “prisoner of war” who had been unlawfully kidnapped by American forces.
The proceedings at Manhattan’s federal courthouse unfolded before a packed audience of legal professionals, journalists, and observers as Maduro seized the opportunity to address global audiences. Speaking exclusively in Spanish through a court interpreter, the 63-year-old politician asserted his continued legitimacy as Venezuela’s rightful leader despite being ousted from power.
Judge Alvin Hellerstein repeatedly intervened to maintain courtroom decorum as Maduro expanded his responses beyond procedural formalities. The most intense moment occurred during a heated exchange with a spectator who shouted that Maduro would face justice for his alleged crimes, prompting the defendant’s declaration of being a political captive before U.S. marshals escorted him from the chamber.
Outside the courthouse, New York police maintained tight security with metal barriers and patrols since early morning. The scene witnessed divided demonstrations with pro-Maduro activists waving Venezuelan flags and chanting anti-intervention slogans while expatriate communities celebrated his prosecution as a victory for justice. The contrasting displays of support and condemnation required constant monitoring by law enforcement personnel to prevent clashes.
The theatrical arrival of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores via armored vehicle with heavily armed escorts contrasted sharply with the controlled courtroom environment where marshals stood weaponless behind the defendants. Flores, sporting blonde tied-up hair and matching attire, observed proceedings alongside her husband’s legal team as Maduro meticulously documented the hearing with pen and paper.