05.01.2026 23:33
The allegations of assault against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who were captured and arrested in an operation by the United States, have been substantiated. His lawyer stated that Maduro has health issues, while it was revealed that his wife had a bandage near her right eye, was holding onto an officer while getting up in court, and had an injury to her rib. Paintings drawn by an artist were also shared in the courtroom.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was detained by the U.S. military intervention, denied the charges brought against him in a case that began in New York.
MADURO IN FRONT OF THE JUDGE
According to reports in the U.S. media, the first hearing for Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores was held in a court in Manhattan, New York. During the hearing, which began under federal judge Alvin Hellerstein, Maduro, who introduced himself as the "President of Venezuela," stated that he was abducted from his home in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, to the U.S.
"I AM INNOCENT"
Maduro expressed that it was the first time he had seen the indictment against him and that he wanted to read it personally. He stated that he was not aware of his rights. Maduro said, "I am innocent. I am not guilty of anything mentioned here." Judge Hellerstein suggested that "this would be a fair trial process" and read the indictment against Maduro.
Maduro's wife Cilia Flores also denied the charges against her, stating that she is "completely innocent." According to a report by The New York Times, Maduro said as he left the courtroom, "I am a prisoner of war."
"MADURO HAS HEALTH PROBLEMS"
According to CNN, Maduro's lawyer Barry Pollack stated that there are "legal issues regarding the abduction" and mentioned that Maduro has "some health problems that require attention."
"MADURO'S WIFE MAY HAVE A BROKEN RIB"
Maduro's wife Cilia Flores' lawyer Mark Donnelly also stated that his client "sustained serious injuries during the abduction." Donnelly assessed that Flores may have "a broken rib or serious bruising and will need a physical examination."
BRUISING AROUND HIS RIGHT EYE WAS OBSERVED
According to a report by The New York Times, in the courtroom, it was observed that Flores had a bandage on her forehead and bruising around her right eye. It was stated that Flores stood up by holding onto a U.S. official next to her.
Meanwhile, after someone in the courtroom called out that he would "pay for his crimes," Maduro stated that he would "regain his freedom."
PHOTOS FROM THE COURTROOM WERE SHARED
Additionally, drawings made by an artist following the hearing in the courtroom were shared. The drawings showed that Maduro had a bandage on his forehead.
SECOND HEARING ON MARCH 17
As Nicolas Maduro's first hearing concluded, it was announced that the second hearing would take place on March 17 at 11:00 local time.
Maduro is represented in court by Barry Pollack, the lawyer for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
PROTEST IN FRONT OF THE COURT
Protests were held in front of the court in New York, where Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are being tried. Some of the protesters gathered in front of the court condemned the U.S. attacks on Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, and demanded the release of Maduro and his wife. The demonstrators chanted slogans protesting the U.S. policies towards Venezuela.
Another group of protesters gathered in the same area argued that Maduro's policies have torn families apart in the country and expressed their support for the judicial process. Some protesters of Venezuelan descent participating in the demonstration expressed their expectations that the U.S. intervention would bring "democracy and justice" to Venezuela through the slogans they chanted in Spanish and the placards they carried.
As security measures around the court were increased, protests are expected to continue throughout the day.