I’m Not Guilty of Cocaine Trafficking, Trump Kidnapped Me — Maduro

Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on Monday pleaded not guilty to charges including cocaine trafficking, as Mr Maduro told a U.S. court that he had been kidnapped.

The couple appeared before Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein in a federal court in New York, two days after being captured by U.S. forces and transported to the United States.

Entering his plea through an interpreter, Mr Maduro denied all charges. “I’m innocent. I’m not guilty. I am a decent man,” he told the court, according to The New York Times.

Mr Maduro identified himself as the president of Venezuela and said his removal from the country was carried out by force. He described the operation as a kidnapping.

U.S. authorities said Mr Maduro was seized on Saturday following a large-scale U.S. military air operation over Caracas and was then flown to the United States to face trial.

Speaking at a news conference, President Donald Trump said the United States was considering options for overseeing Venezuela’s governance, including the possibility of direct U.S. administration or supervision by the Vice President during Mr Maduro’s absence.

Earlier on Saturday, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi released court documents detailing multiple indictments against Mr Maduro, including charges related to cocaine trafficking and other alleged crimes.