Abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro appeared in a New York City federal court on Monday, making his first public comments since being forcibly removed from Caracas by U.S. special forces in a military operation widely condemned as illegal under international law.

Maduro, handcuffed and dressed in a blue jail uniform, told the court he was “innocent”, a “decent man”, and “kidnapped”. The hearing marks the start of a complex legal battle over whether the former Venezuelan president and his wife, Cilia Flores, can face trial in the United States on charges including narcoterrorism and drug trafficking.

Court Appearance and Legal Proceedings

The pair appeared before U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, wearing headsets to follow proceedings translated into Spanish. Maduro pleaded not guilty, asserting:

“I was kidnapped. I am innocent and a decent man, the president of my country.”

Flores also pleaded not guilty. Both face the possibility of life imprisonment if convicted of allegedly collaborating with drug cartels to traffic cocaine into the United States—a claim Maduro and his lawyers strongly deny.

Maduro’s attorney, Barry J. Pollack, emphasized the legality challenges of the abduction, noting Maduro’s status as a sovereign head of state, which typically grants immunity from prosecution while in office. Pretrial filings are expected to address these issues extensively.

The court scheduled the next hearing for March 17, 2026.

International Reactions and Legal Concerns

The abduction prompted global condemnation, with officials calling the U.S. operation a violation of international law:

• United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern that the U.S. had violated rules protecting the territorial integrity and political independence of nations.
• Venezuelan Ambassador Samuel Moncada called the action illegal, highlighting the abduction as a breach of personal immunity for a sitting head of state.
• Russia and China demanded Maduro’s release and denounced the U.S. operation.
• France and Colombia also expressed concern over the legality and precedent of the military action.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials defended the operation. Ambassador Mike Waltz described it as a legitimate law enforcement action, alleging Maduro was responsible for attacks against U.S. citizens and destabilizing the Western Hemisphere.

Political Shift in Venezuela

Following Maduro’s capture, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim president, taking control of the government. Rodriguez, a labor lawyer with close ties to the private sector, has stated her willingness to collaborate with U.S. authorities, though Venezuelan lawmakers and citizens remain divided.

Thousands of Maduro supporters rallied in Caracas, waving Venezuelan flags and calling for his return. Senior lawmakers in the National Assembly condemned the U.S. abduction and pledged solidarity, declaring:

“You will not succeed, and we will deploy all our solidarity so that our legitimate president returns victorious.”

Oil Wealth and International Implications

The U.S. intervention comes amid concern over Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, the largest in the world. Analysts note that while the White House claims it does not seek regime change, pressure on the interim government could facilitate U.S. access to Venezuelan oil.

Despite the transition, Maduro’s loyalists—including parts of the military—continue to assert support for him, raising potential for ongoing domestic instability.

Civilian and International Context

Images of Maduro and Flores being escorted from a helicopter to the courthouse showed tight security measures, reflecting the high-profile nature of the case. The Venezuelan National Assembly has pledged to monitor developments closely, while the international community debates the implications for sovereignty, international law, and Latin American stability.