Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in a New York City courtroom on Monday to face drug and weapons charges, pleading not guilty in a dramatic arraignment.

As he entered the courtroom, the sound of clanking leg shackles accompanied Maduro, who told reporters and the public, "I am, sir, Nicolás Maduro. I am president of the Republic of Venezuela and I am here kidnapped since January 3rd. I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela."

Judge Alvin Hellerstein quickly reminded him that there would be a "time and a place to get into all of this."

During the 40-minute hearing, Maduro said, "I'm innocent. I'm a decent man," while Flores added, "I am completely innocent."

At one point, addressing a man in the audience who shouted that he would "pay" for his crimes, Maduro calmly replied, "I'm a president and prisoner of war."

Dressed in blue and orange jail shirts with khaki pants, the couple wore headphones to follow the Spanish translation of the proceedings, with an attorney sitting between them. Maduro took meticulous notes on a yellow legal pad, which he asked the judge to confirm he could keep after the hearing.

The couple were arrested over the weekend by US forces in a surprise overnight operation in Venezuela that included strikes on military bases. Flores appeared quieter, with bandages near her eyes and forehead from injuries her lawyers said she sustained during the arrest. Lawyers requested proper medical care, including an X-ray for potentially bruised ribs and a fracture.

The US has accused Maduro of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons. Maduro and Flores were charged alongside their son and several others.

The couple did not seek bail during the arraignment and remain in federal custody. Their next court appearance is scheduled for 17 March.