Nicolás Maduro made his first appearance in a New York courtroom on US narco-trafficking and weapons charges
By Sammy,
Nicolás Maduro made his first appearance in a New York courtroom on US narco-trafficking and weapons charges, flatly denying the accusations and blasting the American military operation that led to his capture in Caracas. Dressed in a blue jail uniform, the 63-year-old told the judge, "I am innocent, I am not guilty," saying he had been seized from his home and repeating that he still views himself as Venezuela's president.
The short procedural hearing, which he attended with his wife while following the English proceedings through Spanish translation headsets, is expected to set the stage for a prolonged legal fight over whether the former leader can be put on trial in the United States.
Reported by Sammy for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.