Nicolás Maduro Pleads Not Guilty in New York Court Following U.S. Capture

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a New York federal court on Monday, pleading not guilty to U.S. federal drug trafficking charges. This follows his capture by U.S. military forces in Caracas on January 3, 2026.

During the arraignment, Maduro declared, "I am innocent," and maintained his claim to the Venezuelan presidency. His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty to similar charges.

The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that Maduro and Flores collaborated with drug cartels to smuggle large quantities of cocaine into the United States.

The military operation, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, involved extensive airstrikes and the deployment of special forces to apprehend Maduro and Flores.

In response to the operation, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as acting president. She condemned the U.S. actions, stating that Venezuela "will never again be anyone's colony."

International reactions have been mixed. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticized the U.S. intervention as "an unacceptable line," while Argentina's President Javier Milei supported the action, calling it a win for freedom.

President Donald Trump announced that the United States would oversee Venezuela's governance until a stable political transition is ensured. He indicated that U.S. oil companies would be involved in rebuilding and controlling Venezuela's oil infrastructure.

Maduro's legal team plans to challenge the legality of his capture, citing his status as a head of state. The case is expected to raise significant legal and geopolitical questions in the coming months.