Venezuela’s Maduro says he is ‘innocent’, declares he is ‘president of my country’
Abducted strongman was indicted on narcoterrorism and weapons charges after being taken into US custody in Caracas
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Venezuela’s Maduro transferred to US court, pleads not guilty
During the brief hearing where the charges were read out and pleas entered, Maduro, 63, took notes, asked the judge to allow him to hold on to them and opted not to ask for bail before returning to a detention facility in the nearby borough of Brooklyn. The couple’s next hearing is set for March 17.
“I’m innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the president of my country,” Maduro told a judge, according to media in the courtroom, before the judge cut him off, indicating there would be time for lengthy statements later.
His wife, Cilia Flores, identified herself as Venezuela’s “first lady” before being similarly reined in by Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
In response to the judge’s questioning, Maduro and Flores said they would welcome visits by Venezuelan consulate officials.