Nicolás Maduro Pleads Not Guilty to Drug and Weapons Charges in U.S. Court

Court Appearance and Plea

• 🎤 Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in a federal courthouse in Manhattan.
• ⚖️ Both pleaded not guilty to charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, drug, and weapon offenses.
• 🗣️ Maduro asserted he is the president of Venezuela, and Flores claimed to be the first lady, but the judge dismissed these claims.

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

• ⛓️ Maduro is being returned to jail following his court appearance.
• 🩺 The judge granted full medical attention for the couple, after Maduro's defense attorney requested it due to possibly fractured ribs on Flores's end.
• 📅 A future date will be set for Maduro's defense attorney to apply for bail.
• 🗓️ The next status hearing for the couple is scheduled for March 17th at 11:00 a.m.

Background of Charges

• 🚢 Maduro and Flores were captured on Saturday after the U.S. spent months building up American forces in the region.
• 🌊 The charges stem from allegations of fairing drugs, with U.S. forces carrying out attacks on boats in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean.
• 🚫 Cameras were not allowed in the courtroom during the hearing.