Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro declared his innocence and maintained he is still president of Venezuela as he appeared in a Manhattan federal court on Monday following his capture by US forces. Maduro, who is being held in federal custody at MDC-Brooklyn alongside his wife Cilia Flores, claimed "I am innocent" and "I am still the president of my country".
Maduro's attorney Barry Pollack hinted that they may try to assert that Maduro is entitled to protection from prosecution as head of a sovereign state. However, there are "issues about the legality of his military abduction," Pollack said.
During the hearing, Maduro was escorted into the courtroom in shackles and orange jail slippers, sat two seats away from his wife, and greeted spectators saying 'Buenos dias'. He then began writing on a notepad before standing up to address the judge.
Maduro declared through an interpreter that he is "the president of Venezuela" and claimed he was captured at his home in Caracas, Venezuela. The judge read Maduro the standard rights, but Maduro said he did not know about them and informed the court they would be explained later.
When asked how he pleads to the indictment, Maduro responded "I am innocent, I am not guilty. I am a decent man, I am still president of my country".
Maduro's wife Cilia Flores claimed through an interpreter that she is "first lady of the Republic of Venezuela", but Hellerstein asked her who she was and informed her about her rights to remain silent and be represented by an attorney. Flores said she understood and heard it.
The couple, who are among six defendants named in a four-count superseding indictment, face charges including conspiring with violent drug traffickers for the last 25 years. Maduro has long denied all allegations.
US President Donald Trump recently declared that the US "successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela", capturing Maduro and Flores. He also claimed that the US will "run" Venezuela for an unspecified period of time, stating that it would be beneficial for the country.
Maduro's attorney Barry Pollack hinted that they may try to assert that Maduro is entitled to protection from prosecution as head of a sovereign state. However, there are "issues about the legality of his military abduction," Pollack said.
During the hearing, Maduro was escorted into the courtroom in shackles and orange jail slippers, sat two seats away from his wife, and greeted spectators saying 'Buenos dias'. He then began writing on a notepad before standing up to address the judge.
Maduro declared through an interpreter that he is "the president of Venezuela" and claimed he was captured at his home in Caracas, Venezuela. The judge read Maduro the standard rights, but Maduro said he did not know about them and informed the court they would be explained later.
When asked how he pleads to the indictment, Maduro responded "I am innocent, I am not guilty. I am a decent man, I am still president of my country".
Maduro's wife Cilia Flores claimed through an interpreter that she is "first lady of the Republic of Venezuela", but Hellerstein asked her who she was and informed her about her rights to remain silent and be represented by an attorney. Flores said she understood and heard it.
The couple, who are among six defendants named in a four-count superseding indictment, face charges including conspiring with violent drug traffickers for the last 25 years. Maduro has long denied all allegations.
US President Donald Trump recently declared that the US "successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela", capturing Maduro and Flores. He also claimed that the US will "run" Venezuela for an unspecified period of time, stating that it would be beneficial for the country.
, imagine being in someone's shoes, or should i say shackles 
, and trying to explain your side of things in a foreign court... Maduro seems pretty confident in his innocence, but the US is putting up some resistance 
, it's all about the "sovereign state" protection thingy 
, but what's gonna happen when they actually try to assert that? meanwhile, trump thinks he can just take over venezuela like it's a pizza 
, no wonder people think he's crazy 
like what are they gonna do to these people? Maduro's just trying to protect himself, but at the same time, he's still denying all the allegations 
and now he's saying he's innocent? idk about that 
his wife Cilia Flores seems kinda outta touch too, asking who she was and stuff like that 
US President Trump is making a lot of claims, but is he really just gonna "run" Venezuela for us? sounds like some kind of regime change to me 
I remember watching his trial on CNN, and how he was basically held in a zoo while waiting to go before the judge... I guess Maduro's situation is kinda similar? But instead of being in Iraq, he's in Manhattan! 
at the same time tho, his wife cilia seems pretty down to earth, just chillin with her rights and all 
maybe we should give her some props for that? 
but seriously tho, is it even possible for someone to be held in federal custody while still being the president of a country? 
like, doesnt that kinda contradict each other or something? 
. i'm not sure how this whole thing is gonna play out, but one thing's for sure - venezuela is in a whole lotta trouble right now 
i mean im a fanboy of el presidente forever lol but seriously, this is some serious stuff. i dont know if barry pollack's team will be able to get him outta this or whatnot, but i have faith in them 
. Can't help but wonder what kind of 'decent man' would think it's okay to be caught by the FBI with his hands cuffed behind him 
so this is crazy! I mean, I'm all about justice and fairness but holding someone in shackles like that? 
It's just another level of drama. Maduro thinks he's innocent but come on, the guy has been denying all allegations for years... 
It feels like another power grab to me. Maduro's been saying he's still president and all, but can we trust him now that he's facing charges? 
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That's just crazy talk! 
. What even is that supposed to mean? Are they gonna like take over the country or something? 
I need some answers ASAP! 
Oh man, this is getting ugly... So now Nicolas Maduro's all smiles and innocence vibes in court, but let's not forget he's being held on RICO charges and faces 10 counts of treason 
