فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro appeared before a federal court in New York on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to charges brought by U.S. prosecutors, most notably drug trafficking and possession of automatic weapons. His court appearance comes two days after his arrest in Caracas during a U.S. military operation.
During the hearing, presided over by Judge Alvin Hellerstein, Maduro stated that he was not guilty, insisting that he still considers himself the “legitimate president” of Venezuela. He also said that he was arrested at his home and has considered himself “kidnapped” since January 3. The judge instructed the defendant to limit his statements during the proceedings to stating his name only, according to judicial sources.
In the same context, his wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against her. The court ordered that both remain in pretrial detention, setting March 17 as the date for the next hearing.
Maduro is currently being held at a prison in the Brooklyn district, while U.S. prosecutors accuse him of leading what they described as a “criminal network” allegedly exploiting Venezuelan state institutions to facilitate drug trafficking into the United States, in cooperation with armed groups operating in Colombia.
On the domestic front, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president for a 90-day period, as Venezuelan authorities reiterated their determination to seek Maduro’s “recovery.”
Internationally, the U.S. intervention has prompted mixed reactions. The European Union, France, and the United Nations have expressed concern over the recent developments, calling for respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty, avoidance of escalation, and engagement in a democratic transitional process that ensures political stability in the country.
Source: Fes News Media
