Nicolas Maduro appeared in federal court in Lower Manhattan on Monday to answer for the first time allegations of narco-terrorism. He was brought to trial from the New York Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he was sent after a night operation by American special forces in Caracas.
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His wife appeared with him in court, Cilia Floresaccused in the same case. They both used simultaneous translation during the hearing.
Charges against Nicolas Maduro
As Bloomberg writes, the trial began with the judge reading out the charges against Maduro and Flores. It was published over the weekend indictmentin which the American government accuses the former president of conspiring to smuggle thousands of tons of cocaine into the United States.
Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores faced four charges, including: participating in a narco-terrorist conspiracy and importing cocaine into the USA. They pleaded not guilty.
The former Venezuelan leader was charged with four counts: participating in a narcoterrorist conspiracy, importing cocaine into the United States and two counts of possessing prohibited weapons.
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Maduro pleads not guilty. This is what he said in court
Maduro told the court he was innocent. He also said that he is still the president of Venezuela and was kidnapped from his home.
The judge also brought the same charges against his wife, Cilia Flores. She also said she was “completely innocent” and added that she was still the first lady of Venezuela.
Bloomberg notes that the Maduro case is handled by a 92-year-old man federal judge Alvin Hellersteinwho will oversee the entire trial, including the final verdict before a New York jury. At the first hearing, the judge will likely order the defendants to remain in custody and set a schedule for filing legal motions before the actual trial begins.
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