Maduro in US court

Now the dictator speaks: “I was kidnapped”

Maduro and his wife are being led away by drug enforcement officials.(Bild: EPA/Stringer)

Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been brought before a US judge. During the hearing in New York, the ruler portrayed himself as a victim. He claimed to have been kidnapped from "his home" by the US and to be innocent...

Federal Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein stated in his opening remarks that he would ensure a "fair trial." When the 92-year-old jurist asked Maduro to identify himself, the dictator seized the opportunity to address the assembled world press. 

"I am the president of the Republic of Venezuela and I was kidnapped from my home in Caracas," the dictator is quoted by several media outlets as saying. The US Department of Justice accuses the politician of "narco-terrorism."  

The Maduros plead "completely innocent."
Hellerstein interrupts Maduro and cuts short his speech: "There will be time and opportunity to deal with all of that," says the judge. "I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent person," says Maduro when asked about his plea. His lawyer makes it clear that he pleads not guilty to all four charges.

The judge turns to Cilia Flores, Maduro's wife and co-defendant. She also pleads "not guilty, completely innocent." The couple's defense attorneys also state that Maduro has "health problems." Flores has also suffered a broken rib. Both need medical attention. No bail was requested, and the next hearing is scheduled for March 17.

As the couple is led away, Maduro once again takes the opportunity to spread his message. In Spanish, he shouts, "I am a prisoner of war!"

Opponents and supporters of Maduro have gathered outside the courtroom.(Bild: AFP/MICHAEL M. SANTIAGO)

This is what the autocrat is accused of
Maduro is alleged to have used his illegally obtained office to facilitate the transport of thousands of tons of cocaine to the US. Maduro himself is said to have benefited from this and to have allied himself with drug traffickers for this purpose.

He and his wife, who is also charged, were captured by the US military in the Venezuelan capital Caracas on Saturday night and taken out of the country. Maduro has been held in a detention center in New York since the weekend. His son is also charged, and the allegations are also directed at the current and former interior ministers of Venezuela, among others.

Discussion about the legality of the charges
Experts consider the US attack on Venezuela to be a violation of international law. A trial against Maduro, which may not begin until next year, will also address the question of whether, as head of state, he should enjoy special immunity – and therefore should not have been taken out of the country and charged.