Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was repeatedly shut down by judge Alvin Hellerstein during his first court appearance on charges of narcoterrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine at the New York City Federal Court.
The offences carry potential maximum sentences of life imprisonment under US law.
Maduro pleaded not guilty to all four counts against him and repeatedly insisted “I am innocent.”
“I am innocent. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country,” he argued.
Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was repeatedly shut down by judge Alvin Hellerstein during his first court appearance on charges of narcoterrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine at the New York City Federal Court.
The offences carry potential maximum sentences of life imprisonment under US law.
Maduro pleaded not guilty to all four counts against him and repeatedly insisted “I am innocent.”
“I am innocent. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country,” he argued.
Hellerstein cut the deposed president off as he attempted to describe his capture from Venezuela, telling him there would be time for him to make his case later.
Cilia Flores, Maduro’s wife, also pleaded not guilty to the three charges against her.
Maduro, clad in a blue jail uniform, and his wife were led into court around noon for a brief.
Both put on headsets to hear the English-language proceeding as it was translated into Spanish.
THE THIRD FORCE
