Deposed Maduro pleads not guilty after capture in shock US attack on Venezuela

The Guardian - World NewsEN 4 min read 100% complete by Victoria Bekiempis in New York and Richard LuscombeJanuary 5, 2026 at 09:53 PM

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Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan federal court to US charges of drugs, weapons, and narco-terrorism after being captured by US special forces in Venezuela on Saturday. The arraignment hearing was brief, with Maduro confirming his name and understanding of the four charges, each carrying a potential life sentence. Maduro, who insisted he was still president, claimed he was illegally captured and is a prisoner of war. His wife, Cilia Flores, also captured, appeared with injuries. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting, with some countries condemning the US action as a crime of aggression and a breach of international law. Maduro was initially indicted in 2020 as part of a drug-trafficking case.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Cuba 30% Mark Donnelly 35% Barry Pollack 40% Alvin Hellerstein 40% António Guterres 50% Manhattan ×260% United Nations Security Council 65% Donald Trump 70% Cilia Flores ×275% Venezuela ×280% United States ×485% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) ×895%

Keywords

nicolás maduro 100% us attack 90% venezuela 80% narco-terrorism 70% drug trafficking 60% crime of aggression 50% international law 50% cilia flores 40% us special forces 40%