Former President Maduro Pleads Not Guilty in Historic New York Court Appearance

New Delhi, january 06, 2026: Dramatic footage of deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has taken the internet by storm as he appeared in a Manhattan federal court on Monday. The viral clips, which have garnered millions of views, show a handcuffed Maduro being transported under heavy security, marking one of the most significant moments in international legal history.

The “Perp Walk” That Went Viral

The widely circulated videos capture Maduro dressed in a khaki jacket, beige trousers, and bright orange shoes. Observers noted that the 63-year-old appeared to be limping slightly as he was escorted by federal agents from a helicopter at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport to a waiting armored vehicle.

This appearance follows “Operation Absolute Resolve,” a lightning-fast U.S. military strike in Caracas on January 3, 2026, which resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

“I Have Been Kidnapped”

Inside the courtroom, the atmosphere was tense. Speaking through a Spanish interpreter, Maduro remained defiant. He refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the proceedings, stating:

“I am the President of the Republic of Venezuela, and I am here kidnapped since January 3. I am innocent. I am not guilty.”

Despite his protestations, both Maduro and Flores formally pleaded not guilty to a litany of serious charges. These include:

• Narco-terrorism conspiracy
• Cocaine importation
• Possession of machine guns and destructive devices

U.S. prosecutors allege that Maduro led the “Cartel of the Suns,” a criminal organization they claim flooded American streets with cocaine for over two decades.

High-Security Detention

Following the hearing, Judge Alvin Hellerstein ordered the couple to remain in custody without bail. Maduro is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, a high-security facility that has previously housed high-profile inmates like Sam Bankman-Fried and Sean “Diddy” Combs.

International Reaction

The capture has sparked a firestorm of reactions globally. While thousands of Maduro supporters have marched through the streets of Caracas demanding his release, many members of the Venezuelan diaspora in cities like Miami and Buenos Aires were seen celebrating.

The U.S. government has signaled that this is just the beginning of a long legal process. A new hearing has been scheduled for March 17, 2026, as legal teams prepare for what is expected to be the “trial of the century.”