- Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in a Manhattan federal court after being captured in a U.S. military operation in Caracas over the weekend.
- Maduro pleaded not guilty to multiple narcotics and weapons charges, including narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.
- U.S. prosecutors allege Maduro oversaw a cocaine-trafficking network with international cartels and armed groups, including Mexico’s Sinaloa and Zetas, Colombian FARC rebels, and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang.
- Maduro denies the charges, said he was “kidnapped,” and insisted he remains Venezuela’s legitimate president. His lawyers intend to challenge the legality of his capture, citing head-of-state immunity.
- Following Maduro’s capture, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president, with U.S. intelligence assessments indicating she is the most viable figure to maintain stability during a transition, sidelining opposition leaders.
Venezuela’s Maduro Pleads ‘Not Guilty’ to Drug Trafficking Charges
