In a dramatic court appearance, the deposed leader of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, firmly declared his innocence before a United States judge. The hearing, which took place on Monday, marked Maduro's first appearance in a US courtroom following his capture.
A Defiant Plea in Court
Standing before Judge Alvin Hellerstein, Maduro entered a plea of not guilty to all charges levied against him. "I am innocent, I am not guilty," Maduro told the judge, adding, "I am a decent man." Speaking in Spanish, he further asserted, "I am still president of my country," before being interrupted by the judge.
Judge Hellerstein promptly stated, "A plea of not guilty will be entered on behalf of Mr Maduro," cutting off the former president mid-sentence. Defence attorney Barry Pollack later confirmed that Maduro was formally pleading not guilty to all four charges he faces.
Details of the Arrest and Courtroom Scene
Earlier during the proceedings, a court-appointed translator relayed Maduro's account of how he was taken into custody. According to the translator, Maduro stated, "I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela."
Maduro entered the courtroom shortly after 12 pm Eastern Time, presenting a stark image. As reported by CBS News, he was dressed in standard prison attire, with his feet shackled. He wore headphones to listen to the English proceedings translated into Spanish. His wife, who appeared in court alongside him, was also clad in similar prison clothing. While their feet were restrained, both had their hands unshackled. Upon entering, Maduro briefly shook hands with his attorney.
Legal Representation and Future Proceedings
Maduro is being represented by veteran trial lawyer Barry Pollack, who brings significant high-profile case experience to the defence. Pollack's previous clients include WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Notably, Pollack also played a role in negotiating the 2024 plea deal under which Assange pleaded guilty to a single felony count related to the publication of US military secrets.
The initial hearing has now concluded, and further proceedings in the case are scheduled to take place at a later date. The world will be watching closely as this significant legal and political drama continues to unfold in the US judicial system.
