Archive · 6 Jan 2026
Maduro Captured, Pleads Not Guilty in US Court
The US captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their home in Caracas on Saturday.
They were taken to New York to face charges of drug trafficking and other crimes.
Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty in a US court, with Maduro claiming he is still the president of Venezuela and was kidnapped.
US President Donald Trump said he is in charge of Venezuela, while the country's parliament swore in Delcy Rodriguez as interim president.
Maduro's son called the US operation a kidnapping and sought international solidarity.
The US plans to run Venezuela until a safe transition, but the legality of their actions is being questioned.
Venezuela has declared a state of emergency and ordered the arrest of those supporting the US attack.
Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were captured by US forces in Caracas and taken to New York to face charges of narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and weapons-related offences.
Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty in a US court, with Maduro claiming he is still the president of Venezuela and was kidnapped.
US President Donald Trump stated he is in charge of Venezuela, while the country's parliament swore in Delcy Rodriguez as interim president.
Maduro's son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, called the US operation a kidnapping and sought international solidarity, warning of a threat to global stability.
Venezuela declared a state of emergency, granting sweeping powers to the presidency and instructing security forces to detain those supporting the US attack.
- Who
- Nicolas Maduro, Cilia Flores, Donald Trump, Delcy Rodriguez, Nicolas Maduro Guerra
- What
- US captures Maduro and wife in Venezuela, Maduro pleads not guilty in US court
- When
- Capture occurred on Saturday, court appearance on Monday, next hearing on March 17
- Where
- Capture in Caracas, Venezuela; court appearance in New York, USA
- Why
- Maduro faces narcotrafficking charges, US aims to dominate oil-rich Venezuela
- Key Figures
- Nicolas Maduro, Cilia Flores, Donald Trump, Delcy Rodriguez, Nicolas Maduro Guerra
- Event
- US captures Maduro and wife in Venezuela
- Charges
- Narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, weapons-related offences
- Location of Capture
- Caracas, Venezuela
- Current Location
- Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn, New York
- UK Position
- US must justify actions, supports peaceful transition to democracy in Venezuela
- US Position
- US in charge of Venezuela, elections discussions premature
- Next Hearing Date
- March 17
Sources
UK’s Starmer says it is for the US to justify actions in Venezuela
Maduro, Wife At New York Court, 1st Appearance After Capture By US Forces
Citing Maduro, Russia's Medvedev Says German Chancellor's Abduction Could Be An 'Excellent Twist'
Venezuela Declares State Of Emergency, Orders Arrest Of Those Backing US Attack
'I'm the President of Venezuela... a prisoner of war': Maduro tells US court was captured from home
Deposed Venezuelan President Maduro's Son Calls US Operation 'Kidnapping', Seeks International Solidarity
Marco Rubio and Hegseth brief US lawmakers as questions grow over next steps in Venezuela
No one can isolate US unilaterally; unite forces and India vital for global balance: Cuban envoy
Courtroom Sketch Of Maduro And Wife Shows Them In Jail Outfits, Wearing Band-Aids
Why Venezuela Is Not Panama: Limits Of A Familiar US Intervention Playbook