Maduro and Wife Arraigned in New York on Narco-Terrorism Charges
By Hakeem Oduyoye
Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in a Manhattan federal courthouse today to face multiple charges, including federal drug trafficking and weapons offenses, just days after being captured by U.S. military forces.
Under heavy security, Maduro and Flores were transported by helicopter from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to a Manhattan heliport, then taken by motorcade to the courthouse. Inside, they pleaded not guilty. Maduro, speaking through an interpreter, declared, “I’m innocent. I’m not guilty — I’m a decent man,” while asserting he remains the president of Venezuela.
Both defendants are represented by high-profile attorneys. Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, known for representing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, highlighted health concerns requiring attention. Flores is represented by Texas-based lawyer Mark Donnelly, who noted she may have sustained rib injuries. Judge Alvin Hellerstein assured the court that both would receive appropriate medical care.
The arraignment marks the beginning of what is expected to be months of legal proceedings leading to a potential criminal trial. The next hearing is scheduled for March 17. Neither Maduro nor Flores are currently seeking bail, though their legal teams could make such a request later.
President Donald Trump described the operation as a “large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader,” following months of military buildup in the Caribbean. Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president, was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president on Monday.
U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, emphasized that the U.S. is not occupying Venezuela but is exercising leverage through measures such as an oil quarantine. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz framed the arrests as a law enforcement action consistent with longstanding indictments, comparing the operation to the 1989 capture of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega.
Maduro faces four counts, including narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and weapons-related offenses. An unsealed superseding indictment names four additional co-defendants, including Maduro’s son and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello. Federal prosecutors allege that Maduro and his associates operated a “corrupt, illegitimate government” that facilitated the flow of cocaine into the U.S., enriching themselves and senior officials while partnering with drug cartels like Tren de Aragua for over 25 years.
“This cycle of narcotics-based corruption lines the pockets of Venezuelan officials and their families while benefiting narco-terrorists operating with impunity in Venezuela,” the indictment states.
Protesters gathered outside the courthouse as the arraignment unfolded, underscoring the international attention the case has drawn. U.S. authorities say Maduro’s capture and prosecution are part of ongoing efforts to hold leaders accountable for crimes that have destabilized the region and harmed Americans over the past decade and a half.