From ABC News: Ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, made their initial appearance in Manhattan federal court on Monday following their capture by U.S. forces in a military operation in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, with Maduro claiming, “I am innocent.”
The couple — who are being held in federal custody at MDC-Brooklyn — appeared in front of Judge Alvin Hellerstein. Maduro was escorted into the courtroom in shackles and orange jail slippers and is sitting two seats away from his wife.
Maduro and Flores wore headphones to hear the court-provided interpreter.
The report explains that Judge Hellerstein asked, “Are you, sir, Nicolas Maduro Moros?”
Speaking through his interpreter, Maduro defiantly declared, “I am the president of Venezuela. I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela!”
The judge cut him off, saying there would be time for him to challenge his capture later.
When asked by the judge, “How do you plead to the indictment?” Maduro replied, “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country.”
Maduro’s wife then told the judge, “I am Cilia Flores. I am first lady of the Republic of Venezuela.”
She also declared herself not guilty, saying, “Not guilty — completely innocent.”
Reporters in the courtroom described Maduro as defiant, but said his wife appeared scared and frail.
“I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man.”@OutnumberedFNC breaks down what happened inside the courtroom as Nicolás Maduro made his first in-person court appearance — with the ousted dictator claiming he’s “still president of my country.” pic.twitter.com/OePglRRCKo
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 5, 2026
BREAKING: Venezuela’s ousted leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have pleaded not guilty to federal drug charges following their capture by U.S. forces in Caracas, with Maduro claiming, “I am innocent.” https://t.co/qxqTG52reF
— ABC News (@ABC) January 5, 2026
🚨 BREAKING: Maduro tells judge ‘I am innocent, I am not guilty,’ in court appearance on narco-trafficking charges pic.twitter.com/Pk2NnF2IdJ
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 5, 2026
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