In a scene of profound geopolitical theatre, the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, stood before a US federal judge in Manhattan on Monday, entering a defiant not guilty plea to narco-terrorism charges and declaring himself a prisoner of war.
A Surreal Journey to Courtroom 24
The hearing marked the culmination of a stunning sequence of events that began with Maduro's capture in Caracas early on Saturday and ended with his appearance in Judge Alvin Hellerstein's downtown Manhattan courtroom. The operation, a brazen US military move, has sent shockwaves through international diplomacy.
Escorted into court at noon, Maduro was not handcuffed but wore ankle shackles. His larger-than-life persona immediately filled the room. Before taking his seat, he turned to the public gallery and offered a cheerful "Happy new year!" in English. His wife, Cilia Flores, followed, her face marked with two large bandages on her temple and forehead.
Both were dressed in jailhouse attire—Maduro in a blue shirt over a neon orange one with khaki trousers, Flores in a similar colour scheme. They donned headphones for live translation as the arraignment in the case brought by Donald Trump's justice department commenced.
'I Am Here, Kidnapped'
The proceedings began with routine formalities, but Maduro quickly steered them toward the political. When Judge Hellerstein asked him to confirm his name, Maduro replied, "I am Nicolás Maduro Moros," before launching into a diatribe. He insisted he was the constitutional president of Venezuela and stated, "I am here, kidnapped since 3 January. I was captured in my home."
Hellerstein advised that there would be a proper time for such arguments. Maduro's demeanour remained subtly defiant throughout; at times he rested his knuckles on the table, and at others clasped his hands almost in prayer, with index fingers pointed toward the judge.
He subsequently entered a fulsome plea of not guilty, stating both "soy inocente" and "no soy culpable." His defence attorney was seen making a clear warning gesture, signalling for Maduro to curb his commentary.
Injuries, Notes, and a Shouted Accusation
Flores, who described herself as Venezuela's first lady, also pleaded "completamente inocente." Her attorney revealed she had suffered multiple injuries during her abduction, including a potential rib fracture, and requested medical care for both defendants.
In a later interjection, Maduro requested to keep his handwritten notes, a matter the prosecution said would be arranged with jail officials. Neither defendant sought bail at this hearing, reserving the right to do so later. A conference was scheduled for 17 March.
As the hearing concluded and Maduro prepared to leave, a US marshal took a pen from his notepad. Upon exiting, an audience member shouted an accusation of illegitimacy. Maduro fired back, insisting as he stepped into the hallway, "I'm a kidnapped president – a prisoner of war!" The surreal spectacle underscored the deep and volatile rift between the US and the Venezuelan state.
