Venezuelan President Maduro pleads not guilty in New York court

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro appeared in a New York courthouse on Monday, Jan. 5, where he pleaded not guilty to all U.S. charges during his first court appearance. Addressing the court, Maduro declared, “I am innocent, I am not guilty,” and described being “kidnapped” at his home in Caracas, insisting he remains the president of Venezuela.

Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against her by the United States. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for March 17. Outside the courthouse, protesters waved banners reading “Free Maduro,” “No War on Venezuela,” and “USA hands off Venezuela,” voicing opposition to the U.S. military operation.

Witnesses and protesters condemned the charges as “outrageous,” with Sydney Loving saying, “To kidnap a president of another country is absolutely crossing the red line. It definitely violates international law.” The demonstrations stretched across more than 100 U.S. cities, including Washington, Boston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, and Miami, demanding the U.S. government release Maduro.

U.S. military forces carried out operations in Caracas and other Venezuelan locations early Saturday, detaining Maduro and his wife before transporting them to New York. The seizures have drawn shock and condemnation from the international community, triggering widespread concern over the legality and implications of the attacks.

Global response and protests

The operation has ignited protests worldwide, highlighting the controversial nature of the U.S. actions. In New York, demonstrators chanted and held up signs calling for Maduro’s freedom, criticizing what they viewed as a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty.

The incident continues to reverberate internationally, raising questions about U.S. military involvement in foreign nations, the protection of sovereign leaders, and the broader geopolitical impact on Venezuela and the Americas.