A first exchange with a judge. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, captured by the United States at the end of a military operation in Caracas on the night of January 2 to 3, appeared before a New York court on Monday, January 5. The leader pleaded not guilty during this hearing, as did his wife, Cilia Flores, who was also kidnapped during this intervention. Nicolas Maduro, presented as a “drug lord” by US President Donald Trump, is notably accused of narcoterrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine and possession of automatic weapons and destructive devices.
“I am a prisoner of war”
During this initial appearance, Nicolas Maduro expressed a few words before the federal magistrate in charge of the case, Alvin Hellerstein. “I was arrested at my home in Caracas, Venezuela,” the Chavista leader first said, before being cut off by the judge. “There will be a time and a place to address all of this,” he explained. Indeed, as noted by CNN, it is very rare to see a defendant speak so much during a preliminary hearing in the United States. This is not intended to enter into the substance of the debates. “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am an honest man. I am still president of my country”, declared, however, a little later, Nicolas Maduro, speaking in Spanish. Before adding, as he left the room: “I am a prisoner of war!”
The judge set the next hearing in this case for March 17. In the meantime, Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores will remain in pre-trial detention in the United States. For the moment, their lawyers have clarified that they do not intend to request bail for their clients. On the other hand, the defense of the Venezuelan first lady demanded treatment for the latter, who appeared weakened, with bruises and bandages, in court. According to comments reported by NBC, she suffered “serious bruising to her ribs”. During this hearing, Nicolas Maduro also declared that he would like to have the right to a consular visit, as proposed during the hearing by the judge.
Maduro, “the kingpin of a vast criminal network” according to Trump
The Venezuelan president, until now in power in Caracas since 2013, has been accused for several months by Donald Trump of fueling drug trafficking in the United States. On Saturday, during a press conference organized after the American military intervention, the Republican billionaire described Nicolas Maduro as “the kingpin of a vast criminal network” exporting narcotics to American territory. “As alleged in the indictment, he personally oversaw the vicious cartel known as the ‘Suns Cartel,’ which flooded our nation with deadly poison, responsible for the deaths of countless Americans,” he said.
During the same speech, Donald Trump indicated his desire to “manage” Venezuela while obtaining the guarantee of a “safe and peaceful transition” in the country. This Monday, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez will be sworn in before the country’s Parliament to take over her predecessor’s vacant post as head of the regime. My main function in the days to come (…) will be to use all the procedures, all the platforms and all the spaces to succeed in bringing back Nicolas Maduro Moros, my brother, my president”, launched for his part the president of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Jorge Rodriguez.
