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"They kidnapped me, I am innocent"/ What happened in the 30-minute trial against Maduro? Debates are revealed
2026-01-05 22:40:17 / BOTA
Nicolas Maduro said he is innocent and that US forces have unjustly kidnapped him, during a court hearing held in New York, which lasted about 30 minutes, writes the BBC.
He was taken to a New York courthouse on Monday afternoon, along with his wife, who are charged with drug terrorism and weapons possession.
In a scene straight out of a Hollywood movie, the former Venezuelan president was transported, along with Flores, into a room in the Daniel Patrick Moynihan federal courtroom in Manhattan, handcuffed and dressed in the typical attire of a prisoner in American prisons, a blue T-shirt and an orange shirt.
After hearing the charges against him, Venezuela's ousted leader Maduro pleaded not guilty. "I am not guilty. I am an honest person. I am still the president of my country," he said.
"I am a prisoner of war"
"Innocent, completely innocent," Flores said in Spanish, when asked by the judge what she said in the charges.
"I am the president of Venezuela, I have been arrested in my home in Caracas, Venezuela with my wife, and I will take a position on the charges once I have read them in detail carefully myself," Maduro said in court, when asked to state his identity.
It is characteristic that when the judge informed him that he had the right to a free lawyer from New York State, the former Venezuelan president responded that he was not aware of this possibility. At the same time, Judge Hellerstein informed the accused couple that they have the right to receive a visit from employees of their country's consulate, which they both accepted.
Part of the process was the announcement by the Prosecutor of the time and place of the arrest of Maduro and Flores, when it was officially announced that they were arrested by the prosecutorial authorities at 11:30 am on January 3.
In fact, Maduro reportedly surprised the judge when he asked him to keep his notes. “I would like to ask that my notes be respected and that I be allowed to keep them,” he said.
Maduro's lawyer, Barry Pollack, stated that at this stage he is not seeking his release on bail, but leaves open the possibility of doing so at a later stage. At the same time, before the end of the process, he underlined that Maduro has health problems and will require specific medical care while in custody, while also raising the issue of the legality of the operation to arrest the former Venezuelan president.
In particular, he noted that he may file claims regarding Maduro's role as head of a sovereign state, adding that there are issues regarding the legality of his military abduction.
In fact, Celia Flores' lawyer said she has bruises on her ribs and will need proper care," with Judge Hellerstein noting that the lawyers could work it out with prosecutors. Outside the court, many Venezuelans living in New York gathered, with banners for and against Nicolás Maduro.
Maduro's entire dialogue with Judge Hellerstein
Nicolas Maduro appeared in court for the first time on Monday, where he was charged with narcoterrorism and weapons possession.
Dressed in a blue T-shirt and an orange T-shirt, he and his wife, Celia Flores, heard the charges against them.
The judge then asked Maduro to confirm his identity, and he responded in Spanish:
"I am the president of Venezuela, I consider myself a prisoner of war. I was arrested in my home in Caracas."
"Let me intervene. There will be time for this. I just want to know, are you Nicolas Maduro Moros?"
Judge : Have you been served with the indictment?
Defense attorney: We waive the public reading.
Maduro : I held it in my hands for the first time. I prefer to read it in person.
Maduro then said he "didn't know" he had the right to a free state lawyer.
The judge then asked Maduro what he would like to declare about himself. "I am innocent. I am an honest man. I am President..."
His defense attorney then intervened, telling the court: "I plead not guilty to all charges."
Maduro was then asked about the indictment:
Deputy : Have you seen the indictment?
Maduro : I saw it, but I didn't read it.
Deputy : Have you discussed it with your lawyer?
Deputy : What are you declaring?
Maduro : I am innocent. I am not guilty of anything mentioned here.
Finally, Maduro was reminded of his right to be visited by a consular official. He replied that he would like to expect a visit from the consul and said he was taking notes, adding: “I would like to keep them.”
The Venezuelan was ordered to appear at the next hearing on March 17 at 11:00 a.m.
"I am a kidnapped president"
Leaving the courtroom, the former Venezuelan president responded to a Spanish-speaking protester as he left the courtroom, who told him that on behalf of the Venezuelan people, he would pay, saying in Spanish: "I am a kidnapped president. I am a prisoner of war."
The Venezuelan presidential couple then boarded a vehicle in their motorcade to return to the Brooklyn detention center.
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