Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro appeared in a federal courtroom in Manhattan on Monday after being captured in Caracas during a U.S. military operation. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to charges including facilitating the trafficking of thousands of tons of cocaine into the United States and possession of machine guns. Maduro also faces accusations of narco-terrorism.
Both defendants arrived at court with their feet shackled and wearing tan pants, orange shirts, and blue V-necked shirts. During the hearing, Maduro stated: “I’m innocent. I am not guilty,” adding, “I am a decent man, I am the constitutional president of my country.” He reiterated that he was not guilty of any charges listed in the indictment.
Flores also entered a not guilty plea and emphasized her role as Venezuela’s first lady. The United States does not recognize Maduro’s government as legitimate. Flores’ attorneys reported she was injured during her capture and requested an X-ray for possible fractured ribs; she appeared with two bandages on her face.
Maduro’s attorney indicated plans to challenge the legality of his client’s capture and arrest but did not seek bail at this time for either defendant.
After the hearing, Mark Donnelly, one of Flores’ attorneys, released a statement: “Our client is in good spirits. We look forward to reviewing and challenging the evidence the government has,” he said. “While we would love to present our side now, we will wait to do so in court at the appropriate time. The first lady is aware that there is a long road ahead and is prepared.”
The courtroom attracted several Venezuelan refugees who waited for hours to observe proceedings. Nizar El Fakih, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council who previously represented political opponents of Maduro in Venezuela before relocating to the U.S., attended out of interest in seeing justice pursued. Afterward, Fakih noted that Maduro and Flores received rights under U.S. law—such as consulting with attorneys—that their own administration had denied political adversaries.
Following the hearing, groups gathered outside: some celebrated Maduro’s arrest with Venezuelan flags and signs referencing former President Trump and Sean “Diddy” Combs—who was convicted last year on unrelated charges—while others protested against his capture.
According to an unsealed four-count indictment from Saturday, Maduro, Flores, and other officials are accused of leading the “Cártel de Los Soles” (Cartel of the Suns), allegedly profiting from cooperation with South American drug cartels and gangs such as Mexico’s Tren de Aragua gang led by Niño Guerrero—also charged in this case.
The indictment alleges that while serving as Venezuela’s foreign minister, Maduro sold diplomatic passports to known traffickers and helped conceal smuggling activities using diplomatic cover for private flights. Flores is accused of accepting bribes related to meetings between traffickers and anti-drug officials; these bribes reportedly continued monthly thereafter.
Allegations span back to 1999 when Hugo Chavez began his presidency; following Chavez’s death in 2013, Maduro took office. The indictment further claims that in 2017 Maduro’s son arranged shipments totaling hundreds of kilos of cocaine destined for Miami.
No fentanyl trafficking charges appear in this indictment despite earlier assertions by U.S. officials during military actions against Venezuela’s regime targeting alleged drug transport vessels—a campaign resulting in dozens killed amid ongoing questions about its legality due to lack of public evidence regarding those targeted.
Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein is presiding over the trial.
This story was originally published January 5, 2026 at 1:04 PM.
