Maduro pleads not guilty in NY court

NEW YORK:

Toppled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty on Monday to US narcotics charges, following his capture in a dramatic operation that rattled world leaders and left officials in Caracas scrambling to respond.

Maduro, 63, appeared in federal court in Manhattan wearing prison garb and listened to the indictment through headphones. He pleaded innocent to four counts, including narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.

"I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country," Maduro said through an interpreter before being cut off by US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein. His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty. The next court date was set for March 17.

Outside the courthouse, dozens of protesters, both pro- and anti-Maduro, gathered during the half-hour hearing. However, dozens of supporters outnumbered a handful of anti-Maduro Venezuelan immigrants.

Maduro is accused of overseeing a cocaine-trafficking network that partnered with violent groups including Mexico's Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, Colombian FARC rebels, and Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang. Maduro has consistently denied the allegations.

Maduro and Flores were escorted by heavily armed guards from a Brooklyn detention centre to a helicopter bound for Manhattan federal court On Monday morning. Judge Hellerstein began the hearing by summarising the charges.

Maduro confirmed his identity in Spanish and was informed of his right to notify the Venezuelan consulate. Federal prosecutors allege Maduro has been involved in drug trafficking since his time in Venezuela's National Assembly in 2000, continuing through his tenure as foreign minister and following his 2013 election as Hugo Chavez's successor.

An updated indictment released on Saturday added new details and co-defendants, including Flores. Flores's attorney, Mark Donnelly, reported that she sustained severe bruising and requested X-rays and a physical evaluation.

Maduro's lawyer, Barry Pollack, said he expected complex litigation over what he called his client's "military abduction." He noted Maduro was not requesting release at this stage.