In a dramatic turn of events, ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro appeared in a New York court on Monday, maintaining his innocence as he faces serious drug trafficking charges. This appearance follows his capture by US forces during a surprise raid on his residence in Caracas, which occurred just two days prior.
During the court proceedings, the 63-year-old Maduro stated emphatically through an interpreter, “I’m innocent. I’m not guilty.” Dressed in an orange shirt and beige trousers, he expressed that he had been “kidnapped” since January 3, the day US commandos raided his home.
Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, also entered a plea of not guilty. Both were ordered to remain in custody pending a hearing scheduled for March 17.
The US operation to capture Maduro was marked by aerial bombardments in Caracas, supported by warplanes and naval forces. In the aftermath of the raid, thousands of Maduro’s supporters took to the streets, rallying in defiance of what they perceive as foreign intervention. Notably, his former deputy Delcy Rodriguez has assumed the role of interim president, a move criticized by Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Machado denounced Rodriguez, branding her “one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, [and] narcotrafficking.”
Speaking from an undisclosed location, Machado indicated her intention to return to Venezuela soon, having recently accepted a Nobel Peace Prize abroad.
US President Trump has expressed a desire to exert influence over Venezuela, particularly its oil industry, indicating a severe approach to the country’s governance. He dismissed the notion of conducting elections in the near future, asserting that the country must be stabilized first, a claim met with skepticism.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally, countered Trump’s stance, suggesting elections in Venezuela should be held promptly. This discourse has unfolded against a backdrop of a severe crisis affecting Venezuela’s 30 million citizens, many of whom live under dire conditions stemming from over two decades of socialist rule.
Maduro came to power in 2013, succeeding Hugo Chavez, and has been accused by both the United States and the European Union of maintaining his position through electoral manipulation and suppressing opposition. Following the raid, there remains a cloud of uncertainty as the political landscape evolves.
Trump’s administration has signaled openness to working with Rodriguez, provided she complies with US demands regarding Venezuela’s oil resources. Rodriguez, initially resistant, has since indicated her willingness to cooperate.
Experts, including Brian Naranjo, a former US diplomat in Venezuela, express deep concerns regarding the country’s future, suggesting that the situation may deteriorate further before any improvement is realized. Naranjo pointed to potential power struggles within the interim government, specifically mentioning Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Rodriguez’s brother, Jorge Rodriguez, as figures who may seek to usurp power.
Amid this turmoil, Trump has made controversial statements regarding other nations, suggesting that Cuba is on the brink of collapse and reiterating a desire for US control over Greenland. Analysts criticize Trump’s approach as fundamentally disregarding international law, raising questions about the legality of the operations conducted in Venezuela.
Details regarding the raid continue to emerge, with claims that Cuban nationals were among those affected. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed nearly 200 personnel participated in the operation, reporting no American casualties but indicating some injuries were sustained.
