Nicolas Maduro Pleads “Not Guilty” to Narcoterrorism Charges
Former Venezuelan President Pleads Not Guilty to Four Charges in the Southern District Court of New York
NEW YORK—Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to narcoterrorism charges brought by the United States government in the Southern District Court of New York.
Maduro, who was arrested on January 3 after a military attack in Caracas, faces four Charges: 1) conspiracy as a narco-terrorist, 2) conspiracy to import and export narcotics, 3) conspiracy to import cocaine, and 4) possession of weapons, including machine guns and destructive devices.
The former Venezuelan president appeared before District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, who will preside over Maduro's trial, to begin on a date to be determined.
The indictment against Maduro also included his wife, Cilia Flores, as well as Nicolas Maduro Moros, Diosdado Cabello Rendon, and Ramon Rodriguez Chacin, who are accused of conspiracy to traffic drugs and engage in narco-terrorism from 1999 to 2025.