Archive · 5 Jan 2026
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
- When
- Monday, January 5, 2026
- Where
- Manhattan courthouse, New York
- Why
- Facing narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges
- 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
Sources
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Held At Brooklyn Jail In US; Know Details About ‘Hell On Earth’ Prison
Maduro at troubled Brooklyn jail that once held Ghislaine Maxwell
Maduro Set To Make First Appearance In US Courtroom Over Drug Trafficking Charges | First Visuals
Maduro, Wife Make First Court Appearance in New York After US Capture
US-Venezuela LIVE Updates: Handcuffed Nicolas Maduro Arrives at NY Court for First Appearance Since Ouster
Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro Taken To New York Court, Appears To Limp | Video
2 Presidents, Same Crime, Different Outcomes: The Trump Contradiction
'I Was Kidnapped, I Am A Decent Man': Maduro In 1st US Court Appearance
