• Nicolas Maduro pleads not guilty to multiple drug trafficking charges in a New York federal court.
• Maduro was captured by U.S. forces during a military operation in Caracas and transported to the U.S.
• Both Maduro and his wife face serious allegations including narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine.
• The legal proceedings may challenge the legality of his arrest, with implications for international law.
• Global reactions include condemnation from Venezuela, Russia, and calls for international cooperation.

Nicolás Maduro, the deposed Venezuelan president, made his initial court appearance in New York City on January 5, 2026, following his dramatic abduction by U.S. special forces in Caracas over the weekend. During the hearing, Maduro declared, "I was captured," and identified himself as the president of Venezuela, asserting, "I am innocent" and "a decent man," as he pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy, according to ABC News and Al Jazeera.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during a military operation on January 3, followed by their transport to the U.S. under armed guard. They arrived at Sutton in Manhattan for their court appearance, where they faced Judge Alvin Hellerstein. The couple is being charged alongside several others for their alleged involvement in facilitating drug trafficking operations, including accusations of ordering violent acts like kidnappings, as noted by Business Insider and Los Angeles Times.

The couple was held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn prior to their court appearance, and legal experts have raised concerns over the legality of their arrest, given the nature of U.S. intervention. Critics argue that the operation, described as a military abduction, raises significant questions regarding international law, emphasizing that no armed conflict existed at the time of the operation, according to Channel News Asia and Middle East Eye.

Both Maduro and Flores are expected to face a prolonged legal battle, including a potential fight over their claimed immunity as sovereign heads of state. They could face life sentences if convicted on the drug trafficking charges, which have been denied by Maduro, who insists that U.S. action is driven by a desire to control Venezuela's substantial oil resources, as indicated by sources such as Al Jazeera and Los Angeles Times.

In his remarks during the court hearing, Maduro reiterated his claim of being illegally abducted, adding that he is prepared to fight against what he calls a "kidnapping." Outside the courtroom, tension rose as demonstrators gathered, reflecting the divided sentiments regarding U.S. intervention in Venezuela; protests both in support of and against him have emerged, reported Middle East Eye and Channel News Asia.

The situation continues to evolve as global reactions come in, with various governments expressing concerns over the implications of U.S. actions in Venezuela, including calls for legal reviews of Maduro's capture. His interim successor, Delcy Rodríguez, has demanded his return while presenting a softer approach aimed at potential dialogue with U.S. authorities, highlighting the fragility of international relations in the current context, according to Los Angeles Times and Business Insider.