WASHINGTON — Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro entered a plea of not guilty on Monday to a series of firearms- and drug-related charges filed in a US federal court. His wife, First Lady Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Speaking before US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, Maduro said he denies all allegations brought against him. “I am innocent. I am not guilty of anything that is mentioned here,” he told the court, according to multiple reports. Flores similarly rejected the accusations, stating that she is “not guilty” and “completely innocent.”
The charges were brought under the administration of former US President Donald Trump. During the hearing, Judge Hellerstein informed both defendants of their right to request a consular visit. Maduro and Flores each indicated that they would like to exercise that right.
The case is expected to proceed through the US legal system in the coming months, with further hearings to determine next steps.
