Deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court on Monday, days after being forcibly captured by US forces in a dramatic military operation in Caracas that has sent shockwaves across Latin America.
Maduro, 63, appeared before a Manhattan judge alongside his wife, Cilia Flores, after being transferred to the United States following a surprise raid on his residence. He rejected charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, insisting he had been kidnapped and declaring that he remained Venezuela’s legitimate president. Flores also entered a not-guilty plea. Both are expected to remain in custody in New York, with the next hearing scheduled for March 17.
Ousted Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro appeared in a New York City courtroom on Monday where he pleaded not guilty to US charges in a narco-terrorism case against him, kicking off an extraordinary legal battle with major geopolitical ramifications. @mylesmill
explains what… pic.twitter.com/O60qf24sMp— Bloomberg (@business) January 5, 2026
The US operation involved helicopters, fighter jets, and naval support, marking one of Washington’s most aggressive actions in the region in decades. Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said members of Maduro’s security team, along with soldiers and civilians, were killed during the assault, though no official death toll has been released.
In Caracas, interim leader Delcy Rodriguez signalled a shift in tone by offering cooperation with Washington, even as the Venezuelan military pledged loyalty to her leadership and urged calm. Protests erupted in the capital, with Maduro supporters rallying and denouncing US involvement.
Nicolás Maduro just pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges in a NY federal court after being captured by US forces.
Hopefully, justice is served and this tyrant spends the rest of his life rotting in prison…pic.twitter.com/HL9pB0sNJc
— PoliticalPulse (@Poli_Pulse1776) January 5, 2026
President Donald Trump said the United States was now “in charge” of Venezuela and made clear that access to the country’s vast oil reserves was a priority. He warned that economic pressure and possible further military action remained options. Oil markets reacted cautiously amid uncertainty over Venezuela’s production capacity.
International reaction was swift. China, Russia and Iran condemned the operation as illegal, while the European Union expressed concern. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro called it an attack on regional sovereignty and warned of humanitarian consequences.
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As the UN Security Council prepares for an emergency meeting, Venezuela’s political future remains deeply uncertain, with Maduro’s allies still influential and the opposition sidelined despite long-standing claims of electoral fraud.
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