US attack on Venezuela
Maduro: “I’m not guilty”
Updated on January 5, 2026 – 6:53 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
Nicolás Maduro appears in court for the first time in New York. The USA accuses him of “drug terrorism”. Supporters protest in front of the court – international criticism of the US course is growing.
Under global scrutiny, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was captured by US special forces, has declared himself “not guilty” in a New York court. The 63-year-old came to the courtroom in prison uniform for his first hearing. In Spanish, he said he had been “kidnapped.”
“I’m not guilty,” Maduro said while standing, according to the translator. “I am a decent person, I am still the president of my country.” He is charged with four counts, including “conspiracy to commit drug terrorism.” Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, who was also charged, said she was “completely” innocent. The next hearing was scheduled for March 17. Judge Alvin Hellerstein said it was his job to ensure a fair trial.
Shortly before the start of the hearing, which lasted a good 30 minutes, dozens of supporters had gathered on the street in front of the Federal Court – both of Maduro and of US President Donald Trump, who had chalked up the attack on the South American country and the kidnapping of the president as a coup for himself.
Maduro and his wife were captured by the US military in the Venezuelan capital Caracas on Saturday night. He arrived at a New York detention center over the weekend. His son is also co-accused, and the allegations are directed against, among others, the current and former Interior Minister of Venezuela.
Maduro’s son, MP Nicolás Maduro Guerra, told parliament in Caracas: “If we normalize the kidnapping of heads of state, no country will be safe anymore. Today it is Venezuela, tomorrow it can be any other country that does not submit.”
Maduro’s arrival at the New York court on Monday morning (local time) in an armored vehicle was broadcast around the world. The USA accuses Maduro of using what they consider to be an illegally obtained position to allow thousands of tonnes of cocaine to be transported to the USA. Maduro himself benefited from this and is said to have joined forces with drug traffickers.
Experts view the US attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law. The trial will also be about whether he should not enjoy special immunity as head of state – and therefore should not have been taken out of the country and charged. French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the “method” used by the US for arrest. This is “neither supported nor approved” by France, Macron said during the cabinet meeting in Paris.
