Deposed Maduro pleads not guilty after capture in shock US attack on Venezuela

"The deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to drugs, weapons and narco-terrorism charges on Monday, two days after his capture by US special forces in an operation ordered by Donald Trump that sent shockwaves around the world. The brevity and formality of the arraignment hearing in federal court in Manhattan barely 30 minutes during which Maduro was asked to confirm his name and that he understood the four charges against him belied the far-reaching consequences of the US action."

"As he entered the courtroom, shackled at the ankles though not at the wrists, he looked toward the jury box. Before sitting down, Maduro told the public gallery Happy new year! in English. Maduro was dressed in orange slippers, a blue shirt on top of a neon orange shirt, and beige pants. He scribbled notes on a legal pad throughout the hearing."

"He faces four US federal criminal counts, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. He was first indicted in 2020, along with 14 members of his inner circle, as part of a sprawling drug-trafficking case against Venezuelan officials and Colombian guerrillas."

Nicolas Maduro was arraigned in Manhattan on four federal counts including narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Maduro pleaded not guilty, insisted he remains president, said he was illegally captured at his Caracas home, and described himself as a prisoner of war. The arraignment lasted roughly 30 minutes; Maduro appeared shackled at the ankles, wore casual clothing, and took notes during the hearing. Each charge carries a potential life sentence. The case stems from a 2020 indictment that named Maduro and 14 associates in a broad drug-trafficking investigation. The UN security council held an emergency meeting where several countries condemned the operation and the UN secretary-general suggested it may breach international law.

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