By Adenike Lawal
Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has declared that he remains the country’s legitimate president as he appeared before a federal court in New York following his arrest by United States forces.
Maduro, 63, pleaded not guilty on Monday to drug trafficking and related charges during his first court appearance in Manhattan. Speaking through an interpreter, he insisted he was innocent and said he had been unlawfully taken from Venezuela.
“I am the president of the Republic of Venezuela, and I was kidnapped from Caracas,” Maduro told the court, claiming his arrest violated the country’s sovereignty.
His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty. The court ordered both to remain in custody and fixed March 17 for their next hearing.
Maduro’s arrest followed a surprise US military operation in Caracas that reportedly involved airstrikes and a heavy security presence. The operation sparked protests by his supporters, while his former deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, was sworn in as interim president.
US President Donald Trump later declared that Washington was now “in charge” in Venezuela and signaled plans to assert control over the country’s oil sector, dismissing calls for immediate elections.
Maduro, who assumed power in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chávez, has long been accused by the US and European Union of rigging elections and jailing opponents, allegations his government has denied.
The unfolding developments have plunged Venezuela into renewed uncertainty as legal proceedings against Maduro continue in the United States.
