Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, who has been taken captive, has entered a plea of not guilty to charges related to drugs and weapons.
He asserts his innocence and describes himself as a “decent man,” maintaining that he is still the president of Venezuela while facing federal drug trafficking charges in a U.S. courtroom.
This development coincides with interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez’s call for a “balanced and respectful” relationship with the United States during the power transition, despite President Donald Trump’s assertion that the U.S. is in control of Venezuela.
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Today, Trump has issued threats of additional military action against Venezuela and Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who has labeled the threats as “illegitimate.” Trump has also cautioned Mexico to “get its act together.”
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is scheduled to convene to discuss the U.S. actions in Venezuela, which UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has described as a dangerous precedent.
Maduro was captured by U.S. forces on Saturday and transported to New York as part of a military operation that included extensive strikes on various locations in Venezuela.
