“I am innocent.” Those were the words of deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as he pleaded not guilty in his first U.S. court appearance following his dramatic capture by American forces. Standing before a New York judge, Maduro called himself a “decent man,” a “kidnapped president,” and a “prisoner of war,” rejecting sweeping narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges. His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty as questions emerged about her injuries in custody. The case now sets the stage for a prolonged legal and political battle with global implications.
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