Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro, who was arrested by the United States, was brought before a New York court.
Following an extremely secretive U.S. military operation carried out last Saturday at his residence in Caracas, Nicol\u00e1s Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were arrested and presented before a New York court yesterday. During the hearing, Maduro stated that he is an Honest and law-abiding person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further stated that he has now become both a kidnapped president and a prisoner of war, and that he rejects all the charges brought against him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They have been charged with conspiracy involving large-scale drug trafficking operations alleged to have been carried out for over 25 years, as well as maintaining links with terrorist groups. The U.S. government alleges that Maduro and his family abused their political power to support drug cartels in Colombia and Mexico.
In addition, indictments have been filed against them in connection with the illegal use of weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Appearing before the court, the 63-year-old Maduro was dressed in a blue and orange prison uniform and attended the proceedings with the assistance of an interpreter. His wife, Cilia Flores, was also produced before the court, where she too denied all the charges brought against them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maduro\u2019s lawyers argue that forcibly arresting the leader of a sovereign nation is a violation of international law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n