Nicolás Maduro appeared Monday in a federal courtroom in Manhattan and entered not guilty pleas to U.S. charges that include narco terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons related counts, according to The Guardian’s live updates and reporting from the hearing. The proceedings followed the U.S. operation that brought Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, to the United States to face prosecution, a development that has escalated diplomatic tensions across the region.
During the hearing, Maduro insisted he is still the president of Venezuela and described his capture as a kidnapping, while the judge indicated there would be an appropriate time and place to raise those arguments, The Guardian reported. The courtroom appearance was largely procedural, but it drew attention because both Maduro and Flores made political assertions alongside their legal pleas. Lawyers for Maduro and Flores told the court they are not seeking bail at this time, and the next hearing was scheduled for March 17, according to The Guardian. Reporting from the courtroom also noted that both defendants listened through translation headsets as the proceedings unfolded in English.
The court case is unfolding alongside new political messaging from Venezuela’s interim leadership. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has publicly signalled interest in a more cooperative stance toward Washington, including talk of engagement framed around mutual respect and international law, according to Reuters and The Guardian. That diplomatic tone shift has been closely watched given ongoing questions about legitimacy, internal stability, and how the United States intends to shape the next phase of Venezuela’s governance.
Public opinion in the United States appears divided and uncertain. The Guardian reported results from a Reuters poll indicating roughly one third support for the military action to remove Maduro, roughly one third opposition, and a similar share unsure, while a large majority expressed concern about the U.S. becoming too involved in Venezuela. At the same time, U.S. messaging on the hemisphere has intensified, with official statements and posts emphasizing American security interests and influence in the region.