Maduro Tells Judge He Was Kidnapped
People protest outside Manhattan Federal Court before the arraignment of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro made his first appearance Monday in a U.S. courtroom to face narco-terrorism charges brought by the Trump administration, which officials cited as the basis for his capture and transfer to New York.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared briefly before U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan during a required initial hearing that is expected to lead to an extended legal battle over whether Maduro can be tried in the United States.
Speaking through an interpreter, Maduro identified himself as Venezuela’s president and told the court he had been kidnapped. When asked to enter a plea, he declared his innocence, saying he was not guilty and describing himself as “a decent man.” He added that he remains the president of Venezuela.
Judge Hellerstein then addressed Flores, who confirmed her identity and stated through an interpreter that she is the first lady of Venezuela. She entered a plea of not guilty, saying she was completely innocent.
During the hearing, Maduro said he had not yet reviewed the indictment against him and had not previously been informed of his legal rights. He told the judge that he was learning of those rights for the first time during the proceeding.
Near the conclusion of the hearing, defense attorney Barry J. Pollack argued that Maduro, as the head of a sovereign nation, is entitled to legal protections associated with that status. Pollack also raised questions about the legality of Maduro’s capture, describing it as a military abduction, and said the defense plans to file extensive pretrial motions challenging the case.
Proceedings concluded at 12:31 p.m. after Flores’s attorney, Mark Donnelly, told the court that she has health concerns requiring medical evaluation. Donnelly said Flores, 69, may have suffered a rib fracture or severe bruising and could need a full X-ray.
Both Maduro and Flores agreed to remain in custody for now, though their attorneys indicated that bail could be requested at a later time.
As he was escorted out of the courtroom, Maduro said in Spanish that he was a prisoner of war.
Pollack is known for previously representing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Judge Hellerstein, who is 92, has presided over numerous high-profile cases, including President Trump’s hush-money trial.
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