New York — Venezuela’s ousted President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a New York court for the first time on Monday, accusing the United States government of having “kidnapped” him and sharply criticizing the Trump administration over his arrest. He also asserted that he remains the legitimate president of Venezuela.
As Maduro was led into the courtroom, the sound of chains on his ankles could be heard. Upon stepping inside, he glanced toward the public gallery filled with journalists and spectators and stated that he had been “abducted.”
The brief hearing at a Manhattan court marked Maduro’s first public opportunity to speak since his detention. Maduro was taken into custody on Saturday in Caracas during a U.S. military operation that also resulted in the arrest of his wife, Cilia Flores. This was his first public appearance since that incident.
As he entered the courtroom, Maduro repeatedly said “Happy New Year” in English.
Court Proceedings and Maduro’s Response to the Charges
Shortly after proceedings began, Judge Alvin Hellerstein asked Maduro to confirm his identity. Speaking calmly in Spanish, with his words translated for the court, Maduro replied:
“Yes, I am Nicolás Maduro. I am the president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. I have been held in kidnapping since January 3. I was arrested at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.”
The judge then intervened. “These issues will be addressed at the appropriate time and place, where you will have the opportunity to present your defense,” said Judge Hellerstein, a 92-year-old jurist appointed by former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1998.
Judge Hellerstein assured Maduro and Flores that they would be granted a fair hearing and due judicial process. He also read them their legal rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to legal counsel.
“I was not aware of these rights,” Maduro responded. During the approximately 40-minute hearing on Monday afternoon, Maduro rejected all drug trafficking and weapons-related charges, insisting that he and his wife were innocent.
“I am innocent. I am a civilized person,” Maduro said. He also objected to being brought before a U.S. court. Flores similarly declared that she was “completely innocent.”
Arrest Details, Reactions, and Political Uncertainty in Venezuela
Maduro, 63, and his wife were arrested Saturday from their residential compound in Venezuela during a sudden overnight military operation by U.S. forces. The operation reportedly included attacks on certain military installations. Following their arrest, both were transferred to a New York detention facility.
During the hearing, the couple wore blue and orange shirts with khaki pants — standard attire for detainees in U.S. custody. They also wore headphones to listen to the Spanish translation of the proceedings.
Maduro was seen taking detailed notes on a yellow legal pad and even asked the judge whether he would be allowed to keep the pad with him. As he entered the courtroom, Maduro turned and nodded toward several people seated in the gallery. Throughout the proceedings, his expression remained calm and emotionless.
Near the end of the hearing, a man in the gallery suddenly shouted, “Maduro, you will have to pay for your crimes.” Maduro’s demeanor did not change. Responding in Spanish, he said, “I am a kidnapped president and a prisoner of war.”
The individual was then removed from the courtroom. The hearing proved emotional for others in attendance as well. Venezuelan journalist Mabort Petit said that U.S. missile strikes during Maduro’s arrest had damaged her family home near the Fuerte Tiuna area of Caracas.
She described seeing her former president brought into court under U.S. Marshal custody, dressed in prison clothing, as a “shocking experience.”
Flores appeared calm but had visible bruises near her eyes and forehead. According to her lawyers, the injuries were sustained during the weekend operation. She had her hair tied in a bun and spoke quietly with her legal team, who requested appropriate medical care for her.
U.S. authorities have charged Maduro with narcoterrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to import cocaine, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and other destructive weapons. Similar charges have also been filed against his wife, son, and several other individuals.
The next court hearing has been scheduled for March 17. Meanwhile, the U.S. military operation has created uncertainty over who is currently leading Venezuela. President Donald Trump’s recent threats toward countries such as Cuba, Colombia, and Canada have further raised international concern.
The indictment released following Maduro’s arrest alleges that he used government power for decades to protect and promote illegal activities, describing his administration as corrupt and unlawful.
It further claims that despite losing recent elections, Maduro remained in power and that he, his wife, and close associates conducted a sustained cocaine trafficking operation to accumulate vast wealth and influence.
As Maduro continued to assert his innocence in New York, developments in Venezuela took a new turn. Former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez moved to consolidate authority and was sworn in on Monday as acting president at the National Assembly in Caracas.
Although she initially condemned Maduro’s arrest, Rodríguez adopted a comparatively conciliatory tone toward the Trump administration on Sunday, calling for “peaceful coexistence.” However, following her swearing-in, she again criticized U.S. actions, calling Maduro’s detention illegal.
“I have come to express my sorrow for the suffering inflicted on the Venezuelan people by the illegal military aggression against my country,” she said. “I am also deeply saddened by the kidnapping of two heroes who are being held hostage in the United States.”
