Venezuela’s deposed Nicolas Maduro pleads not guilty to US charges, insists he is still president after being captured in a raid on Caracas.
NEW YORK: Ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges in a US federal court on Monday.
The 63-year-old, captured in a raid on his Caracas home, defiantly told a Manhattan judge “I’m innocent. I’m not guilty.”
Maduro insisted he remained the legitimate president, stating through an interpreter, “I’m president of the Republic of Venezuela and I’m here kidnapped since January 3, Saturday.”
The judge ordered him to stick to stating his name for the plea.
His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty, with both ordered detained until a March 17 hearing.
Thousands marched in Caracas in support as his former deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, was sworn in as interim president.
US commandos forcibly extracted the couple in a Saturday raid involving airstrikes and naval support.
Former US President Donald Trump declared the United States was “in charge” and intends to take control of Venezuela’s oil industry.
Trump dismissed the idea of imminent elections, telling NBC, “We have to fix the country first. You can’t have an election.”
He has expressed willingness to work with Rodriguez’s government if it submits to US oil demands.
Rodriguez, after initial hostility, said she is ready for “cooperation.”
Venezuela possesses the world’s largest proven oil reserves, but its industry is crippled by sanctions and mismanagement.
Major US oil company shares surged on Monday, contributing to record highs for the Dow Jones and FTSE 100 indices.
Former US diplomat Brian Naranjo expressed deep concern for Venezuela’s future, warning things could “get much, much worse.”
Naranjo highlighted Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and legislative president Jorge Rodriguez as potential threats to Delcy Rodriguez’s interim rule.
Trump also commented on Cuba and Greenland, saying Cuba was “ready to fall” and repeating a desire for US control of Greenland.
International Crisis Group’s Brian Finucane said Trump “seems to be disregarding international law altogether” regarding Venezuela.
Cuba reported 32 of its citizens were killed in the Caracas raid.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said nearly 200 personnel conducted the operation, with some US injuries but no deaths reported.
