Nicolas Maduro Pleads Not Guilty in Historic New York Court Appearance

A sitting head of state has traded his presidential sash for a defendant's seat. Nicolas Maduro has finally faced a judge in the United States, marking a dramatic turn in a decade-long legal pursuit.

Nicolas Maduro New York court plea and charges

According to Reuters, Nicolas Maduro appeared in a New York federal court on January 5, 2026, to answer to narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges. He pleaded not guilty to all counts. The US government had previously offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction.

Global Condemnation and Diplomatic Friction

The appearance was met with sharp condemnation from international human rights groups who've long criticized Maduro's authoritarian rule. While the US Justice Department frames this as a win for the rule of law, the Venezuelan government has labeled the proceedings as a politically motivated kidnapping and an affront to their national sovereignty.