Nicolas Maduro, at the end of the first hearing before the American judiciary: “In the name of God, I will be free”
Venezuelan protesters gather in front of the Federal Courthouse in Brooklyn, New York, both in support of and against US intervention in Venezuela, on January 5, 2026. PHOTO: Katie Godowski / AP / Profimedia
At the end of Monday's preliminary hearing for Nicolas Maduro, he turned to greet the crowd, prompting one man to stand up and deliver a message to the ousted Venezuelan leader, NBC News reports.
“You will pay on behalf of Venezuela,” the man said.
In response, Maduro retorted: “In the name of God, I will be free.”
The American television station did not specify where exactly this short exchange of lines took place.
The New York Times also reported that as he left the courtroom, Maduro said in Spanish, “I am a prisoner of war.”
The ousted president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, pleaded “not guilty” to US justice earlier to narco-terrorism charges, three days after his spectacular capture by the US in a military operation, Reuters previously reported.
What Nicolas Maduro said before the judge in New York at his first court appearance. The lawyers did not ask for bail
Maduro, 63, pleaded “not guilty” in federal court in New York to four counts, which include narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.
And his wife, Celia Flores, also charged, pleaded “not guilty”.
The two remain in custody.
