In his first U.S. court appearance following capture in 'Operation Absolute Resolution,' Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and wife Cilia Flores pleaded not guilty to narcoterrorism and related charges before Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein in New York federal court on January 5, 2026. Waiving bail and detained without release, their next hearing is set for March 17 amid protests and global reactions.
Building on reports of Maduro's January 3 capture by U.S. forces in Caracas and transfer to Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, the arraignment unfolded on January 5 in room 26A of the Southern District of New York at 500 Pearl Street. Handcuffed and using translation headphones, Maduro—limping from the vehicle—faced Judge Hellerstein, a Clinton appointee experienced in narcotrafficking cases.
The judge read rights to counsel and silence; Maduro acknowledged them while claiming prior ignorance and insisting, 'I am still the president of my country' and a 'prisoner of war.' Cilia Flores, reportedly injured during capture, also pleaded not guilty. Both waived bail, with lawyer Barry Joel Pollack (formerly of Julian Assange) opting against immediate release.
Hellerstein pledged, 'I will ensure a fair trial and due process.' The session ended with transfer to detention in an armored vehicle.
Outside, ~100 protesters clashed mildly in pro- and anti-Maduro factions, with signs like 'USA hands off Venezuela.' Globally, U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz called it 'police, not war,' drawing condemnation from Russia, China, and Colombia; the UN and Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum urged legal respect. In Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez assumed leadership, swearing by Hugo Chávez, while Jorge Rodríguez, new National Assembly head, vowed Maduro's return.
