VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro gestures during a press conference to the international media about the presidential election at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on 31 July 2024. International pressure mounted Wednesday on President Maduro to release voting records to back his contested election victory claim that has sent thousands onto the streets in protest, leaving 16 dead.
FEDERICO PARRA/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty Monday to U.S. charges of narco-terrorism, two days after being seized by American forces in a dramatic raid on his home in Caracas.
Maduro, 63, told a federal judge in Manhattan that he had been “kidnapped” from Venezuela and declared, “I'm innocent, I'm not guilty,” according to U.S. media reports.
“I'm still the president of my country,” he said.
Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, also entered a not guilty plea.
U.S. officials said Maduro and Flores were captured early Saturday in an operation involving commandos, warplanes and a large naval deployment. President Donald Trump later announced that the United States would temporarily run Venezuela, citing plans to rebuild and control its oil industry.
The move sparked international alarm. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told an emergency Security Council meeting there must be “respect for the principles of sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity.”
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said the Americas “do not belong” to anyone, while Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he was prepared to “take up arms” against Trump.
Maduro took office in 2013 after the death of socialist leader Hugo Chavez. The United States and European Union say he remained in power through rigged elections, repression of opponents and widespread corruption.
In Caracas, about 2,000 Maduro supporters rallied Sunday, some armed and riding motorcycles, waving Venezuelan flags. Lawmakers in the Venezuelan parliament chanted “let's go Nico!” on Monday.
The Trump administration has signaled it wants continuity within Maduro’s inner circle if officials cooperate. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, formerly Maduro’s vice president, said she was ready for “cooperation.”
Trump dismissed backing opposition figures previously recognized by the West and said the U.S. priority was economic access.
“We need total access. We need access to the oil and other things in their country that allow us to rebuild their country,” Trump said.
Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, though years of sanctions and mismanagement have left infrastructure in disrepair. Shares of major U.S. oil companies rose Monday following Trump’s remarks.
The U.S. military presence remains visible, with an aircraft carrier and other naval assets deployed in the Caribbean. Trump has warned of additional military action, though U.S. officials said no American troops are currently in Venezuela.
