According to a New York Post report, Nicolás Maduro pleaded Not Guilty during his appearance in New York federal court on Monday. He also claimed he is a “decent man” who was “kidnapped.”
“I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country,” Maduro insisted after Judge Alvin Hellerstein asked him if he understood he had the right to legal counsel.
“I did not know of these rights. Your honor is informing me of them now,” Maduro said.
Maduro then claimed he was seeing the indictment for the first time and was pleading innocent.
“I am innocent. I am not guilty of anything that is mentioned here,” he said.
But Maduro didn’t stop there. He denounced his capture as a kidnapping — a courtroom outburst that lasted just long enough to get cut off.
“I’m the president of the Republic of Venezuela … I am here kidnapped … I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela,” he said before Hellerstein stopped him.
“Let me interfere – there will be a time and a place to go into all of this. Your counsel will be able to make motions … at this time, I just want to know one thing: Are you Nicolás Maduro Moros?” he asked.
“I am Nicholas Maduro Moros,” he replied.
This story is developing…
MOMENTS AGO: Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro pleaded NOT GUILTY in a New York City federal court. “I am not guilty,” Maduro said in Spanish when Judge Hellerstein asked how he would plead.
“I am a decent man. I am still the president of my country.” pic.twitter.com/Qw6ve2m617
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) January 5, 2026
🚨 BREAKING: Maduro tells judge 'I am innocent, I am not guilty,' in court appearance on narco-trafficking charges pic.twitter.com/Pk2NnF2IdJ
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 5, 2026
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