‘I am a decent man, still the President of my country’, Venezuelan leader Maduro said in New York court, when will the next hearing be held?

Venezuela’s ousted President Nicolas Maduro and his wife pleaded innocent in federal court on Monday (January 5, 2025) on serious charges including drug trafficking. He told the judge that he was still the President of Venezuela. Nicolas Maduro and his wife came out of the court after the hearing which lasted for about 30 minutes. The next hearing of this case will be on March 17, 2026 at 11 am.

I am a decent man: Nicolas Maduro

Nicolas Maduro’s appearance came two days after a US military raid in which he was arrested in Caracas. Maduro described himself in front of the judge as the President of Venezuela and said that he had been kidnapped. Judge Alvin K. on charges including narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine. When asked by Hellerstein, Maduro said, ‘I am a decent man. I was arrested from my home in Caracas, Venezuela.

I am a prisoner of war: Maduro

Maduro’s wife Cilia Flores also declared herself completely innocent. While leaving the court, Maduro said, I am a prisoner of war. Maduro’s lawyer called it a military kidnapping and a violation of the law. This is not the first time that such an argument has been made on behalf of an accused. More than three decades ago, Panama’s Manuel Noriega accused the US of violating international law and his rights to due process by invading Panama and arresting him abroad. The court then refused to consider the legality of the attack on Panama.

Trump’s warning to Venezuela’s interim leader

President Donald Trump said the US controls Venezuela and warned its interim leader to cooperate or pay a heavy price. Delsey Rodriguez, who served as vice president during Maduro’s regime, invited the US government to cooperate and stressed, ‘Venezuela has a right to peace, development, sovereignty and a future.’

At the end of his appearance in the court, Maduro waved towards the crowd, after which a person standing there came to him. The man told Maduro, ‘You will have to pay a price on behalf of Venezuela.’ In response, Maduro said, ‘By the grace of God I will be free.’