Nicolas Maduro and his wife Celia Flores appeared in federal court to be arraigned on Monday morning.
The Army’s Delta Force captured Maduro early Saturday morning after President Trump ordered military strikes on the South American country.
According to Reuters, Delta Force created an exact replica of Maduro’s safe house and practiced how they would enter and capture him. The CIA had an asset on the ground in Venezuela who infiltrated Maduro’s inner circle.
Maduro was indicted on four counts by a federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York.
Read the indictment here.
The grand jury indicted Maduro, his wife, Cilia Flores, and four others on four counts: Narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.
Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty on Monday.
The ousted Venezuelan president was stunned when he learned about the Constitutional rights extended to him.
“I’m innocent. I’m not guilty. I’m a decent man,” Maduro said, telling the judge that he is “still president of my country.”
According to Fox News, Judge Alvin Hellerstein repeatedly cut off Maduro as he tried to speak.
“I am president of the republic of Venezuela, and I am here, kidnapped, since Jan. 3, Saturday,” Maduro said. “I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.”
“[Maduro] never even conjured the notion he gets an attorney, could apply for bail, can stay silent, the right that none of the material he said outside counsel has to come in…” Fox News reported.
Maduro was heckled by protestors outside of the courthouse to which he responded, “I am a kidnapped president. I am a prisoner of war.”
Maduro is facing life in prison.
BREAKING: Nicolas Maduro is reportedly STUNNED by how many rights America grants even the worst criminals, including himself
“He never even conjured the notion he gets an attorney, could apply for bail, can stay silent, the right that none of the material he said outside… pic.twitter.com/wxC4DVoLGY
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 5, 2026
The post Judge Repeatedly Cuts Off Maduro as He Tries to Speak After Pleading Not Guilty – Venezuelan Dictator Stunned by Rights Extended to Him in Court appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.