During his arraignment on Monday before Justice Alvin Hellerstein, Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro stated “I am innocent. I am not guilty of anything that is mentioned here.”
During his appearance, several charges were read to him including “narco-terrorism conspiracy”.
Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, also stressed her innocence when asked for her plea: “Not guilty. Completely innocent,” she said.
Maduro also has told the judge “I was kidnapped” during his arraignment in US court adding that he is the President of Venezuela.
The couple were transported to the Manhattan courthouse under armed guard early Monday from the Brooklyn jail where they’ve been detained since arriving in the U.S. on Saturday.
Maduro’s lawyers are expected to contest the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of state.
The US judge has ordered the Venezuelan leader to next appear in court for a hearing on March 17.
Before his capture, Maduro and his allies claimed U.S. hostility was motivated by lust for Venezuela’s rich oil and mineral resources. The U.S. seized Maduro and his wife in a military operation early Saturday, capturing them in their home on a military base.
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