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World News

Venezuela latest: Maduro pleads not guilty to drug and weapon charges during first New York court appearance

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(Last Updated On: )

Photo: Reuters

Maduro identified himself as ‘captured’ Venezuelan leader during his arraignment and first appearance

Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores pleaded not guilty to federal charges Monday afternoon in Manhattan court after the U.S. extradited the two in a dramatic military operation.Seated with shackled ankles and translation headphones, Maduro appeared before Judge Alvin Hellerstein and identified himself as the “captured” leader of Venezuela before pleading not guilty to the charges.

“I am innocent. I am a decent man,” Maduro told the judge.

Prosecutors have charged Maduro with narco-terrorism conspiracy and Maduro and Flores with cocaine-importation conspiracy, possession, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.

As Maduro and Flores were being flown to New York City, President Donald Trump announced the U.S. would manage Venezuela until a proper transition.

Venezuela’s Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, is formally head of the country for the time being. However, Trump warned Rodríguez could end up with a fate worse than Maduro if she “doesn’t do what’s right.”

Flores suffered injuries during capture, attorney says

Attorneys for Flores told Judge Hellerstein that their client experienced “significant injuries” during her capture, including “severe bruising” and a possible fracture.

The extent of her injuries is unclear at this time, but Flores appeared to have a bruise or marking on her face during her court appearance.

Flores’s attorney pointed out her visible injuries while explaining them to the judge.

Inside the courtroom: Maduro uses plea to make a statement

When Judge Hellerstein asked him to identify himself, Maduro stood up, speaking clearly and in a firm voice in Spanish.

He identified himself as the president of Venezuela and a “prisoner of war” and was “captured” in Caracas.

Hellerstein paused him and asked him only to identify himself. “There will be a time and place to go over all of this,” he said.

He waived a formal reading of his indictment.

“I have it in my hand for the first time,” he said in Spanish. “I would rather read it personally.”

When asked for his plea, Maduro said in Spanish, “I am innocent … I am not guilty. I am a decent man.”

Asked again for his plea, he said, “I am not guilty of anything that is mentioned here.”

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