Maduro and Wife Plead Not Guilty to U.S. Indictment
Former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, along with his wife, Cilia Flores, has declared a not guilty plea in response to U.S. charges accusing them of attempting to torture political adversaries.
At 63, Maduro and 70-year-old Flores appeared shackled in the Southern District of New York, facing an indictment that extends beyond prior allegations of drug trafficking.
During the proceedings, Maduro seemed to avoid the judge’s request for a plea, repeatedly labeling the charges as “false accusations and false testimony” through an English interpreter. In response, Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein stated, “A plea of not guilty will be entered on behalf of Mr. Maduro.”
“I have seen it in its entirety, Judge Hellerstein,” Maduro stated, referencing the indictment. “I reject this document in its entirety.”
Flores, having read the new indictment in Spanish, asserted through an interpreter, “I am completely innocent. I am not guilty.”
The couple exhibited some familiarity in the courtroom, as Maduro waved to the audience and shook hands with one of his lawyers, while Flores offered a light kiss to her attorney.
Previously, both had responded with not guilty pleas to accusations of misusing their authority to assist drug cartels in massively distributing cocaine and other illegal substances into the U.S.
Maduro and Flores were captured by U.S. forces in January while in Caracas. Former President Trump noted they were apprehended after seeking refuge in a heavily fortified safe house, which he described as a “fortress.”
Maduro, a known socialist dictator, has led Venezuela since 2013 after the death of Hugo Chávez, his mentor. He has been under investigation by the International Criminal Court for years over allegations of crimes against humanity.
Torture, recognized as a crime under international law, can be prosecuted in various countries, regardless of the perpetrators’ or victims’ nationalities.
A follow-up pretrial hearing for the couple is scheduled for December 17. If convicted on all charges, each faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 50 years in prison.
