By Ayomide Otitoju
Deposed Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro on Monday pleaded not guilty to US charges of narco-terrorism during an appearance in a New York court, two days after US forces seized him in a dramatic operation at his home in Caracas.
Maduro, 63, told a federal judge in Manhattan that he had been “kidnapped” from Venezuela and insisted he remained the country’s legitimate leader. “I’m innocent; I’m not guilty. I’m still the president of my country,” US media quoted him as saying. His wife, Cilia Flores, also entered a plea of not guilty.
US officials said the arrests followed a pre-dawn assault on Saturday involving special forces, supported by warplanes and a major naval deployment. The operation and its aftermath triggered widespread international reaction and marked a sharp escalation in US involvement in Venezuela.
In a series of weekend statements, President Donald Trump declared that the United States was now effectively overseeing Venezuela, with plans focused on rebuilding and controlling its vast but deteriorated oil industry. The remarks drew alarm abroad.
Addressing an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for “respect for the principles of sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity.” Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said the Americas “do not belong” to anyone, while Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro issued a strongly worded statement condemning the US action.
Maduro came to power in 2013 after the death of socialist leader Hugo Chávez. The United States and the European Union have long accused him of clinging to office through manipulated elections, repression of political opponents and widespread corruption. His removal brings an end to more than 25 years of leftist rule, leaving Venezuela’s roughly 30 million people facing deep uncertainty.
Supporters of the former leader rallied in Caracas on Sunday, with about 2,000 demonstrators waving Venezuelan flags. On Monday, lawmakers in the Venezuelan parliament chanted slogans in support of Maduro.
Despite his ouster, the Trump administration has signalled it is seeking continuity with elements of Maduro’s former inner circle, provided they comply with US demands. Interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, previously vice president, softened an initially defiant stance on Sunday, saying she was open to “cooperation.”
Trump has ruled out backing opposition figures previously recognised by Western governments as winners of disputed elections. Asked what Washington expected from Rodríguez, he said the United States needed “total access,” particularly to Venezuela’s oil and other strategic resources.
Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, but production is costly and infrastructure has deteriorated after years of sanctions and mismanagement. Shares of US oil companies including Chevron, ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips rose sharply in early trading on Monday.
The US president, who has drawn criticism at home for concentrating power, has also adopted an increasingly assertive foreign policy tone. On Sunday, he said communist Cuba was “ready to fall” and repeated calls for US control of Greenland, a territory of NATO ally Denmark. He also sharply criticised Colombia’s Petro.
While US officials say there are no American ground troops in Venezuela, Washington has emphasised its economic leverage through an oil blockade and warned that further military action remains possible. A significant US naval force, including an aircraft carrier, is deployed in the Caribbean.
Details of the Caracas operation were still emerging on Monday. Cuba said 32 of its nationals were killed in the attack. US officials said no American service members were killed, though some were wounded.
Outside the New York courthouse, demonstrators voiced opposing views. Left-wing activist Sydney Loving said she opposed US intervention, arguing it would benefit corporate interests rather than ordinary people. By contrast, Ángel Montero, a Venezuelan who migrated to the United States, described Maduro’s downfall as “the best gift I ever received,” adding that he would thank President Trump.
