By Tiffany Williams –
Manhattan, New York — NewsTalk New England was inside the United States Federal Court on Monday as former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Maduro, made their initial appearances before a judge in Manhattan, marking a rare and historic moment in U.S. federal court.
Nicolás Maduro appeared focused and serious as he stood before the bench. Cilia Maduro appeared exhausted and solemn. The couple communicated through an interpreter, and the former Venezuelan president stood when he addressed the court.
Maduro told the judge he was captured in Venezuela and described it as a “kidnapping,” stating that he believes he is being illegally detained. When Judge Alvin Hellerstein asked how he pleaded, Maduro responded, “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man.” When asked again, he reiterated, “I am innocent. I am not guilty of anything that is mentioned here. I am a decent man.”
When asked to confirm his identity, Maduro stood and began speaking in Spanish as a translator relayed his words into English. He said he “was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela,” and, as the judge attempted to cut him off, added, “I am still president of my country.”
Cilia Maduro introduced herself through a Spanish interpreter as “the first lady of the Republic of Venezuela.” When asked how she pleaded, she responded, “Not guilty. Completely innocent.”
Cilia Maduro entered the courtroom flanked by U.S. Marshals and had visible bandages on her forehead and right temple. She required assistance to take her seat at the defense table before the hearing began. Her attorney told the court she would need a physical evaluation and possible treatment for “significant injuries” sustained during what he described as the “abduction.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. They waived their rights to a speedy trial and to set bail. The court scheduled their next appearance for March 17.
Maduro has retained prominent criminal defense attorney Barry Pollack, a veteran Washington trial lawyer known for long representing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Pollack filed a notice of appearance Monday in the Southern District of New York ahead of the noon hearing. Cilia Maduro will be represented by Mark Donnelly, a veteran Houston federal prosecutor, who also filed an appearance.
A superseding indictment unsealed Jan. 3 charges Maduro, his wife, and others with narco-terrorism and cocaine-importation conspiracy, along with possession of machine guns and “destructive devices.” Both Maduro and Flores requested a “visit” with the Venezuelan consulate, citing U.S. laws that guarantee foreign nationals access to consular resources.
The courtroom appearance marked the opening chapter of what is expected to be a prolonged legal battle, with Maduro and Flores signaling they intend to challenge not only the charges but the legitimacy of their capture and transfer to the United States.