Maduro Pleads Not Guilty in First U.S. Court Appearance in New York

Overview

• In his initial appearance in Manhattan federal court, Nicolás Maduro entered a not guilty plea and told the judge he considered himself kidnapped after identifying himself as Venezuela’s president.
• Prosecutors have lodged counts that include conspiracy for narcoterrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and machine-gun possession and conspiracy, along with broader allegations of international drug trafficking and corruption.
• The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, a 92-year-old veteran of major national-security and high-profile federal matters in the Southern District of New York.
• Maduro is represented by U.S. attorney David Wikstrom, while his wife, Cilia Flores, is represented by Texas lawyer Mark Donnelly.
• Former Venezuelan intelligence chief Hugo “Pollo” Carvajal has pleaded guilty and is cooperating with U.S. authorities, and court filings indicate his testimony is expected to be central to the prosecution’s case.