Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro declared himself “innocent” and a “decent man” as he pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in a U.S. courtroom on Monday, January 5.
Maduro, who was removed from Venezuela by U.S. military forces, entered the plea just two days after landing in New York. If convicted, the deposed Venezuelan leader could face decades behind bars.
“I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country,” Maduro said in court Jan. 5, before being cut off by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
Maduro was in court for his arraignment, a formal proceeding in which defendants are informed of the charges they face and have an opportunity to enter a plea. His wife, Cilia Flores, was also there and pleaded not guilty to several similar charges.
When the judge first asked Maduro to identify himself, the deposed leader stated his name and said, “I am the president of the Republic of Venezuela.”I was captured in my home in Venezuela,” Maduro added, before Hellerstein interrupted him.
Maduro also told the judge he’d seen the indictment against him but hadn’t yet read it. He partially discussed it with his lawyer, he said.
Maduro is being represented by Barry Pollack, a lawyer who is no stranger to high-profile cases. Pollack previously represented Julian Assange, the publisher of WikiLeaks.
Assange was charged with violating the Espionage Act for publishing classified information leaked by Chelsea Manning.
The captured leader said he didn’t need to have the indictment formally read to him in court and would rather read it personally.
When the judge told him he had the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer, Maduro said, “I did not know of these rights. Your honor is informing me of them now.”