Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife appeared in a New York court, both denying all charges. Maduro insisted that he remains the president of Venezuela.
On Monday, 5 Jan 2026 local time in New York, Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, wearing orange prison uniforms and shackled at the feet, were brought by officials to the Southern District Court of New York to hear the case and charges against them. Both denied all allegations.
“I am innocent. I am not guilty,” Maduro told U.S. Federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein. “I am a man of honor,” he added, stating, “I am not guilty of any of the charges listed here.”
After denying the four charges related to drug laws and firearms, Maduro said, “I still am the president of my country,” before the judge interrupted him.
Flores also denied all charges, telling the judge she is “not guilty and completely innocent.”
Maduro and Flores did not request bail or temporary release, while the judge set the next court hearing for 17 March at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).
The 63-year-old Maduro attempted to explain the circumstances of his arrest when the judge asked him to confirm his identity. Through an interpreter, he said, “I was arrested at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.”
Maduro declared he is the president of Venezuela, to which the judge replied, “There will be an appropriate time and place to discuss all of these details.”
When asked if he wanted the court to read the indictment aloud, Maduro responded, “This is the first time I have held it,” and said he preferred to read all the details himself.
Barry Pollack, Maduro’s lawyer, told the judge that his client requires medical assistance due to certain health issues needing care.
Mark Donnelly, Flores’s lawyer, stated that the former First Lady of Venezuela suffered significant injuries during an abduction. He speculated she might have broken bones or severe bruising on her ribs and needs thorough medical examination.
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Source:cnn