8 months ago
Maduro Pleads Not Guilty to US Drug Charges
Nicolás Maduro, the president of Venezuela, went to a court in New York for the first time.
He said he is innocent and a good person.
He also said he was taken from Venezuela by force.
Maduro and his wife were brought to the court by the US military.
They are in jail in Brooklyn, which is known for having bad conditions, but some improvements have been made.
Maduro's lawyers say he should not be tried because he is the president of Venezuela.
The US says he is not the real president and can be tried.
If Maduro is found guilty, he could go to prison for life.
The US also said they will temporarily run Venezuela but not control it every day.
President Trump wants Venezuela to let the US in or face consequences.
Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores appeared in a US court on Monday, January 5, 2026, over narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges.
Maduro pleaded not guilty, declaring himself innocent and a decent man, and stated he was kidnapped.
Maduro's lawyers will argue that he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of state, while the US contends he is not the legitimate leader of Venezuela.
The couple was seized by US military forces and is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, known for poor conditions.
Maduro faces life imprisonment if convicted, with charges including kidnappings, beatings, murders, and drug operations.
- Who
- Nicolás Maduro, Venezuelan President, and his wife Cilia Flores
- What
- First court appearance in the US over drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges
- Where
- Manhattan courthouse, New York
- When
- Monday, January 5, 2026
- Why
- Facing narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges
Key facts
- Location
- Manhattan courthouse, New York
- Inmate Count
- Around 1,300
- Notable Inmates
- R. Kelly, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, Juan Orlando Hernandez, Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada García, Luigi Mangione
- Recent Incidents
- Two prisoner deaths in 2024, staff charged with bribery
- Improvements
- Added staff, fixed maintenance issues, upgraded systems
- Charges
- Narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, conspiracy, money laundering
- Potential Sentence
- Life in prison if convicted
- US Sanctions
- Maduro, his wife, and son have been under US sanctions for years
Timeline
US seizes 'Skipper', sanctions Maduro allies, tensions rise.
Then, US military moves in, targeting Maduro.
Operation succeeds: Maduro captured on January 3, 2026.
Maduro arrested, transferred to Brooklyn jail, facing drug charges.
Quotes
Nicolas Maduro
Deposed Venezuelan leader
“I'm innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the president of my country.”
NDTV
news18.com
“I was captured.”
news18.com
Sources
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