“Nicolás Maduro Pleads Not Guilty in NY Terrorism Case”

Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro entered a not guilty plea in a New York court on Monday, facing charges of terrorism and drug trafficking. The arrest occurred in a military operation where the U.S. captured Maduro and his wife before dawn on Saturday in Caracas. Maduro, along with his wife, Cilia Flores, and son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, were arraigned on serious charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and possession of weapons in the federal courthouse in Manhattan. Maduro vehemently denied the allegations and claimed his arrest was illegal, citing his immunity as a sovereign state president. The legal battle is expected to be protracted, with Maduro’s next court appearance scheduled for March 17. In Venezuela, Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez took over as interim president following the raid, while Maduro’s son, Maduro Guerra, demanded his father’s return and rallied international support. World leaders, including the UN Secretary-General, expressed concerns over the operation’s implications and called for adherence to international law. Additionally, Trump hinted at potential military actions in other countries, naming Mexico, Colombia, and Cuba, eliciting varied responses from global leaders.