Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Monday pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges in a New York court.
Maduro, 63, appeared before a federal judge in Manhattan, where he claimed he had been “kidnapped” from Venezuela and insisted on his innocence.
“I’m innocent, I’m not guilty,” he was quoted as saying by US media, adding, “I’m still the president of my country.”
His wife, Cilia Flores, also entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.
The couple were captured in the early hours of Saturday during a US-backed operation involving commandos, warplanes and a significant naval presence.
In a series of startling announcements over the weekend, US President Donald Trump declared that the United States was now overseeing Venezuela, citing plans to rebuild and take control of the country’s vast but dilapidated oil sector.
The development has triggered widespread international concern.
Addressing an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for “respect for the principles of sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity.”
Mexico also voiced strong opposition, with President Claudia Sheinbaum stating that the Americas “do not belong to anyone.”
Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro issued a fiery response, saying he was prepared to “take up arms” against Trump.
Maduro assumed office in 2013, succeeding fellow socialist leader Hugo Chávez.
