Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty on Monday to drug trafficking charges in a U.S. federal court, while declaring that he remains the legitimate president of Venezuela.
During a brief court appearance, Maduro rejected all allegations against him, which accuse him of involvement in an international drug trafficking network. Speaking through an interpreter, he denied wrongdoing and described the case as politically motivated.
In a moment that drew attention in the courtroom, Maduro stated that he was still Venezuela’s president, despite appearing before a U.S. judge on criminal charges. The judge reportedly advised him to limit his remarks to the legal proceedings.
U.S. prosecutors allege that Maduro and senior associates used their positions of power to support large-scale cocaine shipments bound for the United States. Maduro has consistently denied the accusations, arguing that they are part of a long-running political campaign against his government.
The case highlights years of strained relations between Washington and Caracas, marked by sanctions, diplomatic tensions, and disputes over Venezuela’s leadership. While Maduro’s political status remains contested internationally, the U.S. court is focused solely on the criminal charges.
Further hearings in the case are expected in the coming months, as the proceedings continue to draw global attention.
Leave a Reply