Venezuelan leader, Nicolas Maduro, appeared in a US federal court on Monday to face drug trafficking charges after his capture by US security forces that rattled the world and left nations too dumbstruck to react right away.
The deposed leader, 63, told a Manhattan federal judge that he is innocent and still the Venezuelan President. “I’m innocent, I’m not guilty,” Maduro said, adding, “I’m still the President of my country.”
Maduro said he had been “kidnapped” from his country along with his wife, Cilia Flores, who also pleaded not guilty. A dramatic assault by US administration on January 3 that was backed by the use of warplanes and heavy naval deployment saw the pair being shackled and taken in by the US army to an unknown location.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that nearly 200 personnel went into Caracas on the raid, although the full details of the operations were still emerging. However, Havana has confirmed 32 Cubans were killed in the attack. No US service members are reported to have been killed, as per US officials.
Also Read: US announces drug, terror charges against Maduro after capture
US President Donald Trump has been accusing Maduro of overseeing a cocaine-trafficking network and backing violent drug cartels, including Mexico’s Sinaloa and Zetus, Colombian FARC rebels and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang.
Maduro’s appearance in the US court came amidst loud sloganeering outside the premises by Maduro’s supporters. Venezuela has meanwhile issued an emergency order directing police to hunt down anyone who aided the US attack.
The UN Security Council, in an urgently-held meeting, debated the legality of Trump’s forceful seizure of a foreign head of state, with Russia, China, and Venezuela’s leftist allies condemning it.
UN chief Antonio Guterres also raised concerns about Trump’s strike and instability in Venezuela.
Saturday’s assault on Venezuela by the US special forces came after its 1989 Panama invasion, and has left the world shocked.
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