Deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro pleads not guilty to US charges, claims he was kidnapped and is a “prisoner of war” in a heated court appearance.
NEW YORK: Deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro declared his innocence in a defiant US court appearance on Monday.
“I am innocent,” Maduro told a packed Manhattan courtroom, pleading not guilty to drugs and weapons charges.
The 63-year-old, wearing a dark shirt over orange prison fatigues, said US forces had kidnapped him from his home in Caracas.
“I’m a decent man. I am still president of my country,” Maduro stated during the 30-minute hearing.
He described himself as a prisoner of war, having been captured in Venezuela on January 3.
Judge Alvin Hellerstein cut Maduro off as he expanded beyond confirming his identity for the record.
“There will be time and place to get into all of this,” Judge Hellerstein replied.
The hearing concluded with a heated exchange between Maduro and a man in the public gallery.
The man shouted that Maduro would pay for his crimes, to which Maduro responded “I am a prisoner of war” before being led out.
Maduro spoke only in Spanish and listened to proceedings through a translator via headphones.
He used a pen and paper to take notes throughout and rarely looked up from his desk.
His wife, Cilia Flores, sat beside him wearing a similar outfit with her blonde hair tied up.
Two US marshals stood behind the pair in the wood-paneled, blue-carpeted courtroom.
Heavily-armed police had earlier escorted the couple in an armoured vehicle from a Brooklyn jail.
Scores of police officers patrolled outside the courthouse from early morning, with metal barriers forming a perimeter.
Several dozen protesters gathered, with groups both celebrating and criticising Maduro’s arrest.
One group held Venezuelan flags and signs saying “USA hands off Venezuela” while chanting “Viva viva Maduro.”
“We say no to US intervention. It’s not in our benefit,” said demonstrator Sydney Loving, 31.
On the other side of a barrier, Venezuelan expatriate Angel Montero, 36, called it the best birthday gift.
“I am so happy that this is happening today. I’m happy that everybody is here supporting justice,” Montero said.
