Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared before a United States federal court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to long-standing drug trafficking and related charges and insisted that he remains the legitimate president of Venezuela. Speaking briefly during the hearing, Maduro rejected the accusations against him as politically motivated and told the court, “I am still president,” underscoring his refusal to recognise the authority of the U.S. judicial process over him.
The case stems from an indictment first announced by U.S. prosecutors in 2020, accusing Maduro and several close allies of conspiring with Colombian guerrilla groups to traffic large quantities of cocaine into the United States. Prosecutors allege that the network, often referred to as the “Cartel of the Suns,” used state institutions and military protection in Venezuela to facilitate drug shipments over many years. The charges include conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, cocaine importation and weapons-related offences, all of which carry the potential for lengthy prison sentences if convictions are secured.
During the court proceedings, Maduro’s legal team entered a formal not-guilty plea on his behalf and signalled that they would challenge both the substance of the charges and the jurisdiction of the U.S. courts. Defence lawyers argued that the case is part of a broader campaign by Washington to undermine Venezuela’s government and exert pressure for political change. U.S. officials, however, maintain that the prosecution is a criminal matter and say no individual is above the law.
The appearance has triggered strong reactions internationally. Venezuela’s government denounced the case as a violation of national sovereignty and reiterated its position that Maduro is the country’s lawful head of state following elections that Washington and several other governments have refused to recognise. Some allies of Caracas echoed those concerns, warning that the case could further destabilise the region. At the same time, U.S. officials described the proceedings as an important step in holding alleged drug traffickers accountable, regardless of political status.
Maduro is expected to remain in U.S. custody as pre-trial procedures continue, with further hearings scheduled in the coming weeks. The case is likely to raise complex legal questions around presidential immunity, international law and the prosecution of foreign leaders, while also adding a new layer of tension to already strained relations between Washington and Caracas.
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