Nicolas Maduro has pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court to sweeping narco-terrorism charges, days after a dramatic U.S. operation ordered by President Donald Trump led to his kidnapping and removal from power.
Maduro, 63, entered his plea on Tuesday New Zealand time to four criminal counts, including narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and possession of machine guns and other destructive weapons. He was brought to a Manhattan courtroom by helicopter from a Brooklyn detention facility under heavy guard, alongside his wife, Cilia Flores.
The court appearance came as United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres raised concerns about the legality of the U.S. action and warned it could further destabilise Venezuela. The operation has been described as the most significant U.S. intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, prompting urgent debate at the UN Security Council and condemnation from Russia, China and several over governments aligned with Caracas.
US prosecutors allege Maduro oversaw an extensive cocaine trafficking network that worked with violent criminal groups, including Mexican drug cartels, Colombian guerrillas and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. Maduro has consistently denied the accusations, insisting they are politically motivated and designed to justify foreign control over Venezuela’s oil industry.
In Venezuela authorities issued emergency directives ordering police to track down anyone suspected of assisting the US raid that led to his capture.
If convicted, Maduro could face decades in prison or life sentences on each charge. He is being represented by Washington defence lawyer Barry Pollack, whose previous clients include WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
Prosecutors say the alleged drug trafficking activity dates back to Maduro’s early political career in the National Assembly in 2000, continuing through his time as foreign minister and into his presidency after succeeding Hugo Chavez in 2013. Maduro was first indicted in New York in 2020 as part of a wider investigation into Venezuelan officials and Colombian insurgents.
Maduro & His Wife Plead Not Guilty In NY Federal Court As Rival Protests Rage Outside
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/maduros-vp-bends-knee-maduro-arraignment-ny-court-imminent
Prisoner of war, prisoner of illegal and undeclared war.
lol
It’s just part of the MICBC (Military-Industrial-Congressional-Bankster-Cabal) terrorist regime.
It’s all about what thej can steal.
USA…the new/old international terrorist.
Great to see someone on the Epstein list being handcuffed and finally brought to justice. Oh wait…
Utterly revolting. An obscene spectacle, orchestrated by the US criminal regime. My deepest sympathy to these good people. Matyrs to their nation.
A couple thousand people who were murdered and had their farms burned by Maduro’s cocaleros and their streets taken over by cartel de los solos and tren de aragua might disagree with you there.
US military-industrial complex is evil, no question, but these are NOT “good people”. Not by a long shot.
What I do know is Venezuela is much better off under Maduro and his predecessor Chavez than it was before. Illiteracy and homelessness are more of less gone. Those figures by the way, are from the UN. If you are going to make those kinds of claims mate, offer up some proof. Oh and CNN or the like is not proof, just so we are clear.
Calm down, Dorothy.
Jesus.
All I’m saying is Maduro is no choir boy. Hate Orange man and the jews all you want, I don’t mind, but it doesn’t take away all the bad sh!t el presidente has done. It doesn’t automatically make him a “hero”.
And in what world is the supposed UN source you’re waving at me more trustworthy than CNN anyway? BOTH are contrived and manipulated garbage – not to be trusted by anyone. Don’t sperg out on raw emotion the way a blithering leftist would do. You’re better than that.
Let’s be real: If you want to fend off imperialism, u better be a strong-man, because many stooges will betray govt and people, especially well-meaning ones. We have to comprehend that globalism/imperialism eats other peoples. Agents, infiltrators, stooges, corrupt bureaucrats, sleepers, govt agency scoundrels and other filth is out to usurp and subvert any decent society.
And that is exactly what these $%#@ do to their own societies too (see US Patriot Act) or sh*tting on a Bill of Rights or Human Rights like thej did in NZ with the covid crime and suppression of freedom.
Without the alertness and engagement of the PEOPLE, any society will be oppressed and enslaved by the more ‘connected’ (scamming) parts of it.
NOT ONE such elite scum scammer is beyond reproach.
And it is ALWAYS the People who are usurped.
And that has to stop.
So you’re happy about the US doing as it pleases because of some narrative the US has propagated?
Never said I’m happy about “the US doing as it pleases”.
All I said was Maduro is not a good man.
Maduro is evil, the US military-industrial complex is also evil. Both can be true at the same time.
But don’t froth one scumbag up into a hero just because he got his @ss kicked by the other scumbag, that’s just stupid.
This website draws the usual idiots. At least it distracts them from waiving Palestinian flags and wearing Palestinian tea towels.
Calling others idiots whilst posting yourself. Didn’t think that one through did we. Guess quality trolling is hard to find these days.
Go back where you belong : the ghetto
Agreed, however you left out the championing of the mutilation of children.
They are not idiots, more like bell ends.
Just Trumpist echo chambers calling other names because they know there’s no moral or legal argument to be made here. Oh I hear old Donny isn’t posting about this but still whinging about the election being stolen from him by Biden. Guess Venezuelans have had their election stolen from them by US military force. I imagine the irony is lost on the US establishment though.
Hey buddy, this is a non partisan news site for awake Kiwis and critical thinkers. No ones buying the narrative and abusing people won’t convince them anymore the utility of your Maga/CIA talking points.
Well done Trump, forget court appearance, hang him.
Rational thinking?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x33LoXHqUCk
While You Watched Venezuela, Trump Quietly Put Canada On Notice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ7UrtDjNao
Let’s be honest, if Trump was POTUS during WW2, the Left would be pissed off if he arrested Hilter.
I would imagine they would be aligned with Hitler until it wasn’t convenient, just as they were in WWII. Who do you think helped Hitler come to power and re-arm? Not to mention secure stolen money from the Jews? Do some research and find out who owned Opel and who helped Hitler secure stolen funds in France. It makes for interesting reading.
Rational thinking?
https://www.bitchute.com/video/qAfKglVSHIhN
30+ Cubans killed during the rais…and then we see why????
https://www.infowars.com/posts/breaking-exclusive-intel-experts-believe-cuban-intelligence-may-have-been-holding-nicolas-maduro-hostage-trumps-raid-was-really-a-rescue-mission-so-maduro-can-turn-states-evidence-against-demo
LOL…..no aliens had Maduro……
Yep, lets listen to Alex Jones.
Good thinking
Maduro is not the first person to be kidnapped and abducted out of South America
http://www.whale.to/b/heydrich_h.html
http://whale.to/b/eichmann_h.html
Heydrich and Eichmann must perish
Both instrumental in establishing the pariah Jewish State in Palestine
There is more to this than meets the eye
It’s the oil, Bro.
It’s always about the oil.
Go for electronic bail bro