Two days after US soldiers stunned Caracas with a raid on his house, deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges in a New York court on Monday.
According to US media, 63-year-old Maduro told a federal judge in Manhattan that he was “kidnapped” from Venezuela and said, “I’m innocent; I’m not guilty.”
Reports said that he maintained his position as president.
Cilia Flores, who is Maduro’s wife, also entered a not guilty plea.
In an attack supported by jets and a huge naval presence, the two were captured by US commandos in the early hours of Saturday.
President Trump shocked the world over the weekend by announcing that the US is now in charge of Venezuela, with the goal of reviving and regulating the country’s massive but crumbling oil sector.
Underscoring the need of “respect for the principles of sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the growing global concern during an extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council.
Today, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum slammed the idea that anyone owns the Americas, causing strong outrage.
In a vehement declaration, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a former guerrilla warrior, threatened to “take up arms” in opposition to Trump.
Hugo Chavez, Maduro’s equally extreme socialist predecessor, stepped down as president in 2013.
He allegedly oversaw widespread corruption while manipulating elections and imprisoning his opponents, according to the US and EU.
The roughly 30 million people who call Venezuela home are now facing an uncertain future as a result of the end of 25 years of communist government.
Approximately 2,000 people, some of them were riding motorcycles armed with rifles, gathered in Caracas Wednesday to show their support for Maduro and wave Venezuelan flags.
Supporters of the deposed leader yelled out “Let’s go, Nico!” in Venezuela’s parliament today.
But for the time being, the Trump administration is sending the message that it wants Maduro’s crew to stay put—as long as they comply with US requests.
Delcy Rodriguez, who served as vice president under Maduro, pronounced herself ready for “cooperation” Wednesday, abandoning her previously rebellious stance.
Trump has made it plain that he has no interest in assisting the reelection of political opponents who were rightfully believed to have won crooked elections.
On the other hand, Venezuelan immigrant Angel Montero called Maduro’s ouster “the best gift I ever received.”
When asked who he should thank, 36-year-old Montero responded Donald Trump.
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