Venezuela’s deposed president, Nicolas Maduro, on Monday pleaded not guilty to U.S. charges of narco-terrorism during his first court appearance in New York, days after what U.S. officials described as a high-risk operation that led to his arrest in Caracas.
Maduro, 63, appeared before a federal judge in Manhattan, where he rejected the charges and told the court he had been forcibly taken from Venezuela. U.S. media quoted him as insisting on his innocence and claiming he remained the legitimate president of his country. His wife, Cilia Flores, who was also arrested, entered a not-guilty plea.
According to U.S. accounts, Maduro and Flores were seized in the early hours of Saturday during an operation involving American special forces, supported by air and naval assets. The circumstances surrounding the raid remain contested, with limited independent verification.
In a series of announcements over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Washington was assuming control over Venezuela’s governance, citing plans to stabilise and rebuild the country, including its oil industry. The statements triggered immediate international concern.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres convened an emergency Security Council meeting, where he warned against violations of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, criticised the move, saying the Americas “do not belong to anyone,” while Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro issued a strongly worded response condemning U.S. intervention.
Maduro has been in power since 2013, succeeding longtime leader Hugo Chávez. The United States and the European Union have repeatedly accused his administration of electoral manipulation, repression of political opponents, and widespread corruption, allegations his supporters have consistently denied.
The developments mark a dramatic turning point for Venezuela, ending more than two decades of leftist rule and leaving the country’s roughly 30 million citizens facing deep uncertainty. Supporters of Maduro rallied in Caracas on Sunday, while lawmakers allied to him voiced support in the National Assembly on Monday.
Despite the arrest, the Trump administration has indicated it may work with elements of Maduro’s former inner circle. Interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, previously vice president, softened her initial response and signalled willingness to cooperate with U.S. authorities.
President Trump said any cooperation would hinge on full access to Venezuela’s resources, particularly oil. The country holds the world’s largest proven crude reserves, though years of sanctions, underinvestment, and mismanagement have left production capacity severely weakened.
Following the announcements, shares of major U.S. oil companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips, rose sharply in early trading.
U.S. officials say no American troops are currently deployed on Venezuelan soil, though a significant naval presence has been reported in the Caribbean. Details of the Caracas operation continue to emerge, with Cuban authorities claiming casualties among their nationals. U.S. officials have acknowledged injuries to some service members but reported no fatalities.
Outside the New York courthouse, demonstrators voiced opposing views. Some protesters condemned U.S. intervention, while others, including members of the Venezuelan diaspora, welcomed Maduro’s arrest as a long-awaited moment of accountability.
The case is expected to intensify diplomatic tensions and reshape geopolitical alignments in the region as legal proceedings move forward in the United States.
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