‘Kidnapped since January 3’: What Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro said in US court hearing

By Admin

06 Jan, 2026

Introduction
Toppled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro made his first appearance in a US court on Monday, days after his dramatic capture and transfer to the United States. Produced before a New York federal judge, Maduro strongly denied all charges against him and claimed that he had been unlawfully detained, setting the tone for what is expected to be a high-profile and legally complex trial.

First Court Appearance in New York
Nicolas Maduro was brought before US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan, marking his first court hearing since being flown to the United States under the administration of US President Donald Trump. The 63-year-old leader appeared alongside his wife, Cilia Flores. The hearing lasted for about 30 minutes, and the court scheduled the next hearing for March 17.

Charges Read Out by the Court
During the hearing, the judge read out four criminal counts against Maduro. These include charges of narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Similar charges were also read against his wife, Cilia Flores, who was named as a co-defendant in the revised indictment.

‘I Am Innocent. I Am Not Guilty’
Speaking through an interpreter, Maduro firmly rejected all allegations. He told the court, “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country,” according to Reuters, before the judge interrupted him. Maduro further claimed that his detention was illegal, stating, “I'm here kidnapped since January 3, Saturday.” He also said he was captured from his home in Caracas, Venezuela, describing the arrest as unlawful.

Claim of Unlawful Arrest
Maduro’s statements in court point to a central defence strategy — that US authorities acted illegally by arresting him on foreign soil. His lawyer echoed this argument, calling the operation a “military abduction” and claiming it violated international law. This claim is expected to be a major focus as the case proceeds.

Cilia Flores Also Pleads Not Guilty
Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, also entered a plea of not guilty. When asked to identify herself, she told the court, “I am First Lady of Venezuela,” and declared that she was “completely innocent.” Judge Hellerstein informed both Maduro and Flores of their right to notify the Venezuelan consulate about their arrests.

Heavy Security and Courtroom Scene
Earlier in the day, Maduro and Flores were transferred from a Brooklyn detention facility under tight security. Maduro was seen with his hands zip-tied as armed guards escorted him to a helicopter that flew him to court. During the hearing, he wore orange and beige prison clothing and listened to the proceedings through headphones as the charges were explained in English.

Background of the US Case
US prosecutors first indicted Maduro in 2020 as part of a long-running investigation into narcotics trafficking allegedly involving Venezuelan officials, Colombian guerrilla groups, and international drug cartels. A revised indictment released recently added new details and named additional co-defendants, including Flores. US authorities accuse Maduro of overseeing a large cocaine-trafficking network linked to Mexico’s Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, Colombia’s FARC rebels, and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang.

Political Context and Maduro’s Response
Washington has refused to recognise Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president since his 2018 re-election, which was widely criticised for alleged irregularities. Maduro has consistently denied US accusations, arguing that they are politically motivated and aimed at gaining control over Venezuela’s vast oil resources.

Conclusion
Maduro’s first US court appearance has drawn global attention, not only because of the serious criminal charges but also due to his claim that he was “kidnapped” and unlawfully detained. As the case moves toward its next hearing in March, it is likely to intensify legal, diplomatic, and political tensions between Venezuela and the United States.