It began in Daniel Patrick Moynihan Federal Court in Manhattan, where he and his wife, Celia Flores, appeared for the first time facing charges of “narco-terrorism.”
The categories they face are:
- Conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism
- Conspiracy to import cocaine
- Possession of weapons of war and explosives
- Conspiracy to possess weapons of war and explosives
Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who is presiding over the case, began the hearing at 19.02 (Greece time) by summarizing the charges against Maduro. The latter, wearing the orange and beige prisoners’ uniform, watched with headphones through an interpreter.
The judge welcomed those present and explained his role: “My job is to make sure the trial is conducted fairly,” he said, before summarizing the charges.
Hellerstein asked Maduro to confirm his identity, and he responded in Spanish.
According to CNN, Maduro appeared shackled at the ankles while he and his wife sat at the same table wearing headphones, presumably to listen to the translation. The judge read an abbreviated version of the indictment against Maduro and Flores.
The Venezuelan president has pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges he faces. “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am an honest man,” he told Judge Hellerstein during his court appearance. Among other things, the president of Venezuela claimed that he is a “prisoner of war”, while maintaining that he continues to be president. Maduro’s statements were interrupted by Judge Hellstein. His wife Celia Flores also pleaded not guilty.
The hearing lasted about 30 minutes and the trial was adjourned until March 17.
Dozens of Maduro supporters and a few Venezuelan immigrants, opponents of the regime, had gathered outside the court.
