Maduro calls himself a prisoner of war in the NYC court. The former Venezuelan leader and his wife pleaded not guilty to drug and weapon charges. U.S. forces captured them in Caracas over the weekend, bringing them to New York for arraignment. He faces accusations of narco terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation.
His wife, Cilia Flores, faces related charges but not the main terrorism count. Maduro declared himself a kidnapped president and an innocent man in court. The judge cut him off, saying legal arguments would come later. Their lawyer questioned the legality of the military operation that grabbed them.
Flores also asserted her innocence when entering a plea. Both are being held in a federal detention center in Brooklyn. A hearing for their case is set for mid-March. This follows years of U.S. indictments and escalating rewards for his capture.
The State Department bounty on Maduro kept growing over recent years. A top U.S. official has repeatedly denied his claim to the presidency. Venezuela's vice president was swiftly sworn in as interim leader after the raid. The situation continues to develop as the legal process begins.
His wife, Cilia Flores, faces related charges but not the main terrorism count. Maduro declared himself a kidnapped president and an innocent man in court. The judge cut him off, saying legal arguments would come later. Their lawyer questioned the legality of the military operation that grabbed them.
Flores also asserted her innocence when entering a plea. Both are being held in a federal detention center in Brooklyn. A hearing for their case is set for mid-March. This follows years of U.S. indictments and escalating rewards for his capture.
The State Department bounty on Maduro kept growing over recent years. A top U.S. official has repeatedly denied his claim to the presidency. Venezuela's vice president was swiftly sworn in as interim leader after the raid. The situation continues to develop as the legal process begins.
