By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty on Monday in their first court appearance in New York.
Maduro and Flores were captured in their Caracas compound in a surprise U.S. military operation Saturday.
He is facing charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine-importation conspiracy and weapons charges. Flores is also facing charges.
If convicted, Maduro and his wife could face life in prison.
He greeted people in the courtroom with “Happy New Year” as he entered.
U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein was overseeing the proceedings. The hearing lasted less than an hour, with both Maduro and Flores submitting their pleas.
During the proceedings, he introduced himself as the president of Venezuela as well as a prisoner of war. Flores introduced herself as first lady of Venezuela. Her right eye appeared swollen and her forehead was bandaged in what may be injuries sustained during the U.S. military operation.
“I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country,” Maduro said.
“Not guilty. Completely innocent,” Flores pleaded at the proceedings, speaking through an interpreter.
Maduro is being represented by Barry J. Pollack, a leading trial attorney in the U.S. whose high-profile clients include Julian Assange and Enron executives.
Flores is being defended by Mark Donnelly, a Houston-based attorney that specializes in white collar criminal defense.
Maduro’s lawyers are expected to contest the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of state.
The case has been postponed to 17 March 2025.
The couple were transported to the Manhattan courthouse under armed guard early Monday from the Brooklyn jail where they’ve been detained since arriving in the U.S.
Meanwhile Delcy Rodríguez will be formally sworn in on Monday as acting president of Venezuela.
The parliamentary leader said the ceremony will take place this afternoon, a day after Rodríguez assumed the role of acting president by order of the Supreme Court of Justice due to Maduro’s inability to serve as president.