“I Am a Prisoner of War,” Maduro Tells U.S. Judge at First Court Appearance
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a New York courtroom for the first time, using the hearing to denounce his arrest and describe himself as a “kidnapped” leader and a “prisoner of war.”
The brief court session, which lasted about 40 minutes, saw Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, formally enter not-guilty pleas to multiple drug trafficking and weapons-related charges. Both were later transferred to a New York detention facility following their capture by U.S. forces in Venezuela.
As Maduro attempted to make political remarks during the proceedings, the presiding judge stepped in, cutting him short and stating that the courtroom was not the place for political arguments at this stage. The judge added that there would be an appropriate time to address such matters.
The court has scheduled the next hearing in the case for March 17.
