Ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty Monday in Manhattan federal court to drug trafficking charges, with Maduro telling a federal judge he had been “kidnapped” from his home.
“I am president of the republic of Venezuela, and I am here, kidnapped, since Jan. 3, Saturday,” Maduro told U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein. “I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.”
Hellerstein interrupted, telling him that they will discuss “the legal sufficiency of what was done” at a later date.
Later, after an outburst from a spectator, Maduro added: “I am a kidnapped president, prisoner of war.”
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are charged with conspiracy to import cocaine and possession of machineguns and destructive devices. Maduro is additionally charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy.
Though Monday’s proceeding was largely straightforward, in which Maduro and Flores were informed of their rights and asked to enter pleas, several exchanges hinted at the complex legal issues that are likely to arise over the federal prosecution of a foreign leader forcibly captured and transported to the U.S.
As he entered the courtroom, his feet in shackles, Maduro nodded at the courtroom sketch artists and several times in English announced “Happy New Year.” He shook hands with the U.S. Marshals who escorted him to his seat.
Flores appeared to have injuries, which her lawyer said were sustained when the U.S. captured the pair at their home Saturday. She had a gash over her right eye and a golf ball-sized welt on her forehead, which appeared to be surrounded by bruising.
Throughout the 30-minute hearing, Maduro took notes on a yellow legal pad, and he asked the judge to preserve his notes and allow him to access them.
Maduro and Flores spoke in Spanish throughout the proceedings and wore headphones to hear the court translators. They appeared in prison garb consisting of khaki pants, neon orange shoes and a neon orange shirt underneath a navy shirt. Flores wore her hair in a bun.
Hellerstein told Maduro and Flores that his duty is “to assure that this is a fair trial and fair proceedings. That’s my job and that is my intent.”
While Hellerstein informed Maduro of his rights, Maduro stood, his hands clasped, thumbs pointed toward the ceiling and his pointer fingers extended toward the front of the room.
Asked by the judge to enter a plea, Maduro said, “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country.”
Flores introduced herself to the court by saying, “I am still first lady of the republic of Venezuela.”
Maduro is being represented by Barry Pollack, whose previous clients include WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. On Monday, Pollack indicated that he expects “voluminous and complicated” legal issues to arise in Maduro’s case, including those concerning “the legality of his military abduction.”
The pair said they would like to have a consular visit, a right to which they are entitled.
Hellerstein set their next court date for March 17.
