New York (Monitoring Desk): Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has refused to admit charges of drug trafficking and terrorism in a U.S. court, asserting that he is a good person, remains the legitimate president of Venezuela, and was abducted.
Maduro and his wife were flown by helicopter from Brooklyn to Manhattan, where they were transferred to court in an armored vehicle. According to U.S. media, Maduro was dressed in a prison uniform and handcuffed during the court appearance. He wore headphones to understand the proceedings in Spanish.
When the federal judge requested identification, Maduro stated that he is the President of Venezuela. The judge read the charges, which included drug trafficking and terrorism, but Maduro denied all allegations, insisting that he is innocent and was forcibly taken.
His wife also declared her innocence, affirming that both are blameless. The court set a long hearing schedule and ordered Maduro and his wife to appear again on March 17.
Maduro and his wife were taken into custody during a U.S. military operation in Venezuela and transferred to the United States on Sunday.
