Nicolas Maduro Appeared in Court in the USA

Nicolas Maduro in court. Reuters.
At a hearing held on January 5 in New York, Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who were detained as a result of a U.S. military operation, insisted on their innocence, as reported by DW, citing international news agencies.

"I am innocent. I am an honorable man and still the president of my country," Maduro's words are quoted by the Associated Press. He also described himself as a "prisoner of war."

Both defendants appeared in court in prison attire and translation headphones, but without handcuffs, though with leg shackles. During the hearing, Flores pointed to her role as the First Lady of Venezuela and also rejected all charges.

The next court hearing is scheduled for March 17, by which time Maduro and Flores will remain in custody in New York. Their defenders are expected to challenge the legality of the arrest, claiming that the former president has immunity as a sovereign leader, although U.S. authorities do not recognize him as the president of Venezuela.

According to Bloomberg, the trial of the former head of Venezuela may not begin until 2027, as the judge first needs to establish a schedule for the exchange of evidence and procedural documents.

According to CBS News, Maduro's attorney at the first hearing was Barry Pollack, known for previously representing Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. Cilia Flores was represented by attorney Mark Donnelly from Texas. The couple's defenders stated that their clients currently do not intend to file for bail but did not rule out the possibility of doing so in the future.

Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores were detained on January 3 during Operation "Absolute Resolve," carried out by the U.S. Delta Force, and were taken from Venezuela first to a U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo and then to New York.

Maduro is charged with "narcoterrorism," illegal possession of weapons, and trafficking in Venezuelan diplomatic passports. He is accused of leading the criminal group Cartel de los Soles, previously recognized as a terrorist organization in the U.S., as well as conspiring with Colombian drug cartels. The former president denies these charges, calling them a pretext for controlling the country's oil resources.

Following Maduro's capture, the Supreme Court of Venezuela appointed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as the interim head of state. She stated that the country aims to develop "balanced and respectful international relations," including relations with the U.S. At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Rodriguez would "pay a high price" if she does not cooperate with American authorities, adding that it might be a price greater than that paid by Maduro.