News · 5 January 2026
Maduro pleads not guilty to drug charges in US
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a Manhattan federal court Monday, pleading not guilty to narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons charges following his weekend capture by US forces in Caracas. The 63-year-old deposed leader told Judge Alvin Hellerstein he was innocent and a decent man, claiming he remains Venezuela's president. His wife Cilia Flores also pleaded not guilty to similar charges. The unprecedented military operation has drawn international condemnation while Venezuelan opposition supporters celebrated outside the courthouse.
Reported by NBC News · How we write briefs