Maduro challenges US authority in first court appearance, insists he remains Venezuela’s president

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro used his first appearance in a New York federal courtroom to challenge U.S. authority, telling a judge he was unlawfully seized from Venezuela and remains the country’s legitimate leader.

Maduro pleaded not guilty before U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein to charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine trafficking and weapons offenses. Speaking through an interpreter, he said he was “captured” during a military operation and declared himself innocent.

Maduro appeared with his wife, Cilia Flores, who also entered a not-guilty plea and identified herself as Venezuela’s first lady. Both are being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center.

Defense lawyer Barry Pollack said the case raises broader issues, arguing Maduro’s transfer to U.S. custody amounted to an illegal military abduction and signaling challenges to U.S. jurisdiction and claims of head-of-state immunity. Maduro further described himself as a “prisoner of war.”

Judge Hellerstein said questions about the legality of Maduro’s detention could be addressed later and outlined his constitutional rights. Maduro replied that he was learning of those rights in court.

The hearing unfolded as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to take a hard line on Venezuela, asserting U.S. control over the situation and warning of consequences if Venezuelan authorities do not cooperate. Trump has also pointed to Venezuela’s oil reserves, drawing criticism from regional leaders and analysts who say strategic and economic interests are intertwined with the prosecution.

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