Maduro Pleads Not Guilty to U.S. Narco-Terror Charges as Washington Signals Control Over Venezuela

Toppled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court on Monday to narcotics-related charges following his dramatic capture by U.S. forces, an operation that has shaken global politics and unsettled Caracas. Standing in shackles and prison attire, the 63-year-old leader insisted he had been “kidnapped” and remained Venezuela’s legitimate president before U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein cut him off during the arraignment. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores — who also pleaded not guilty — are accused of running a cocaine-trafficking network with international cartels and face multiple counts including narco-terrorism and weapons offenses.

While Maduro’s defense team vowed to contest what they described as a “military abduction,” political developments quickly unfolded back home. In Caracas, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president, drawing cautious backing from U.S. officials who view her as capable of maintaining order amid the power vacuum. The Biden administration — asserting that Washington now holds decisive leverage over Venezuela — signaled that new elections would be premature until the country’s security and infrastructure are stabilized, even as world powers clashed at the United Nations over the legality of the U.S. operation.

Global reaction remained sharply divided, with Russia, China and Venezuela’s left-leaning allies condemning the raid, while U.S. officials defended it as lawful and necessary to confront transnational drug crime. Meanwhile, questions about Venezuela’s political future and control of its vast oil sector persisted, as U.S. officials held briefings with congressional leaders and hinted at plans for American energy companies to help rebuild the country’s crippled oil industry. The next court hearing in Maduro’s case is scheduled for March 17.

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