05.01.2026 22:12
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was arrested during the U.S. military's attack on Venezuela and brought to the U.S., appeared before a judge in New York. While it was announced that the court would continue on March 17, Maduro shouted, "I am a prisoner of war" as he was led out of the courtroom.
On January 3, in the capital of Venezuela, Caracas, an operation conducted by the U.S. Army resulted in the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from the country.
MADURO AND HIS WIFE IN FRONT OF THE JUDGE
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was arrested and brought to the U.S. due to the attack, appeared before a judge in New York. Defending himself against the charges, Maduro stated that he is an honest person and that he is innocent.
Maduro expressed that it was the first time he saw the indictment against him and that he wanted to read it personally, stating that he was not informed about his rights. Judge Hellerstein suggested that "this would be a fair trial process" and read the indictment directed at Maduro.
HE SHOUTED A SINGLE SENTENCE
While it was announced that the court would continue on March 17, the situation became chaotic at the end of the hearing. As Maduro was being taken out of the court, he shouted, "I am a prisoner of war."
WHAT HAD HAPPENED?
On January 3, around 02:00 local time in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, explosions and sounds of aircraft were heard. The Venezuelan government accused the U.S. of conducting attacks on civilian and military facilities in various regions of the country following the explosions.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a large-scale attack was carried out against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and that Maduro and his wife were removed from the country.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi also stated that a criminal complaint had been filed against Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in the U.S., and that Maduro faced charges of "drug terrorism, cocaine trafficking, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices against the U.S."
The Venezuelan government called on the international community to condemn the U.S., while some countries criticized the attack, and others supported the U.S. with their statements.