Nicolas Maduro’s arraignment was an “extraordinary moment in history”, US President Donald Trump has said, as the deposed Venezuelan leader made his first court appearance since being captured.
Maduro appeared in the Manhattan courthouse on Monday to plead not guilty and tell the judge he was “the president of my country”.
His wife, Cilia Flores, was also present, and she too pleaded not guilty to the charges, saying: “I am the first lady of Venezuela.”
Maduro faces the following charges: narco-terrorism conspiracy; cocaine importation conspiracy; possession of machine guns and destructive devices; conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.
Following the hearing, Mr Trump told Sky News’ US partner network NBC News the arraignment was an “extraordinary moment in history”.
When asked if the US is at war with Venezuela, he said: “No. We’re not. We’re at war with people that sell drugs.”
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The appearance by the couple was the first on the drugs charges the Trump administration used to justify capturing Maduro and bringing him to New York.
In his first public words since being brought to the US, Maduro told the court he was the president of Venezuela and that he was captured from his home in Caracas.
Read more:
What it was like inside Maduro’s ‘dramatic’ court hearing
“I am not guilty, I am a decent man, I am still the president of my country,” he said.
During Monday’s hearing, which lasted about 30 minutes, Maduro’s defence attorney highlighted “issues with the legality of the military abduction”.
Maduro also requested the right to a consular visit – something the judge confirmed would be arranged.
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His defence team is not seeking his release at this time, with the judge telling them they can make their bail application “when appropriate”.
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Was US attack in Venezuela and capture of Maduro legal?
Humiliation for Maduro as during court transfer
As the court hearing wrapped up and Maduro prepared to leave, 33-year-old Pedro Rojas stood up and began speaking forcefully at him in Spanish.
Mr Rojas said later that he had been imprisoned by the Venezuelan regime.
As deputy US marshals led Maduro from the courtroom, the deposed leader looked directly at the man and said to him in Spanish: “I am a kidnapped president. I am a prisoner of war.”
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Maduro and his wife are due to appear in court again on 17 March.
