In a historic event that has captured worldwide attention, Nicolás Maduro appeared this Monday before a federal court in New York. Just 48 hours after his capture in Caracas, the chavista leader faced charges of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism brought by the U.S. justice system, maintaining a posture of total defiance before the judicial authority.
“I am a decent man”: Maduro’s first words in the U.S.
The hearing, presided over by Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, showed an unprecedented image: Maduro entered the courtroom wearing an orange prisoner’s uniform and shackles on his feet. Despite his situation, the leader was categorical in proclaiming his innocence. “I am innocent, I do not plead guilty. I am a decent man,” he told the court with the help of an interpreter.
During the initial interrogation, Maduro attempted to validate his political status by identifying himself as the “president of the Republic of Venezuela” and denouncing that he was in a “kidnapped” condition.
At this, Judge Hellerstein firmly interrupted him to demand that he limit himself to confirming his legal identity, to which he finally responded under his formal name, Nicolás Maduro Moros.
Maduro’s wife Cilia Flores’ statement: “I am the First Lady”.
Along with him, his wife Cilia Flores also faced federal charges related to arms and drug trafficking. Like Maduro, Flores appeared before the magistrate vindicating his official title and rejecting the accusations that, among other points, point to alleged bribes received in 2007 to facilitate meetings between high-ranking Venezuelan drug enforcement officials and drug traffickers.
As the proceedings progressed inside the courthouse in Lower Manhattan, the streets reflected the polarization of the conflict. Groups of demonstrators carrying “Freedom for Maduro!” banners and slogans against the war for oil verbally clashed with a contingent of opponents, forcing the NYPD to set up barricades to maintain order.
Context: a country on edge after the US military incursion.
Maduro’s appearance on New York soil is the direct consequence of a military operation carried out by US forces in the Venezuelan capital last weekend. Washington has justified this intervention under the argument of complying with the arrest warrants issued by the Department of Justice, which points to the Chavista leadership as responsible for leading a global drug trafficking network: this action has caused an immediate power vacuum in Venezuela, leaving the public administration in a state of total paralysis while the world observes with caution the evolution of events.
This institutional vacuum has given way to the inauguration of Delcy Rodríguez as the new president, who in her first statements has expressed a willingness to cooperate by assuring that she will cooperate directly with the administration of Donald Trump. This rapprochement takes place in a context where the U.S. president has been categorical about his interests in the region, stressing that the stabilization of Venezuela is closely linked to the control and security of its vast oil reserves .
