Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro has appeared in a New York court to plead not guilty to drug trafficking charges, following a dramatic US special forces operation that seized him from Caracas.
In a tense first appearance, Mr Maduro remained defiant, telling the court, “I am still president,” and declaring himself a “prisoner of war.” His wife, Cilia Flores, who was also detained in the weekend raid, appeared alongside him.
‘Kidnapped’ or ‘Captured’?
The hearing comes as Venezuela enters a period of profound uncertainty. In Caracas, Mr Maduro’s long-time ally Delcy Rodríguez has been sworn in as interim president, describing the detained leader and his wife as “heroes.”
The capture has drawn a fierce response from Mr Maduro’s son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra. Addressing the National Assembly, he warned that the US operation set a dangerous global precedent.
“If we normalise the kidnapping of a head of state, no country is safe,” Mr Maduro Guerra said. “Today it’s Venezuela. Tomorrow, it could be any nation that refuses to submit.”
Scenes from the Ground
The events have sparked vastly different reactions across the globe:
- Caracas: Thousands of Maduro supporters marched to the National Assembly to demand his release. While some residents told the BBC they were glad to see him gone, public celebrations remain rare due to fears of retaliation from the remaining government.
- New York: Protesters gathered outside the courthouse with conflicting messages. Some brandished “USA Hands-off Venezuela” placards, while others held signs thanking the US government for the intervention.
- The Diaspora: In cities including Miami, Madrid, and Bogotá, large crowds of Venezuelan exiles took to the streets over the weekend to celebrate the capture of the man they blame for the country’s economic collapse.
The Road to New York
Mr Maduro and Ms Flores were flown to the US on Saturday after a specialist team breached their compound in the Venezuelan capital. Dramatic images released earlier today showed the pair in handcuffs, flanked by heavily armed federal agents, as they were transferred to the courthouse.
The US indictment accuses Mr Maduro of leading a “narco-terrorism” conspiracy that flooded American streets with cocaine—a charge he has long dismissed as a political fabrication.
What happens next?
The legal proceedings are expected to be lengthy and complex. Legal experts say Mr Maduro’s status as a head of state will likely be at the heart of his defense team’s strategy, despite the US no longer recognising his legitimacy.
Meanwhile, all eyes remain on Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas to see if she can maintain the loyalty of the military and the ruling socialist party in the absence of their figurehead.
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