Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who are forcibly controlled by the US, appeared for the first time in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York at noon on the 5th to reject the US side's so-called “criminal” accusations. According to the Associated Press, Maduro was brought to court with his wife. The two wore headphones and communicated through a Spanish interpreter. Maduro stated in Spanish in court: “I was kidnapped here” and “I am not guilty. I'm not pleading guilty”. Maduro stressed that he is still the president of Venezuela. Maduro's wife, Celia Flores, also pleaded not guilty to the US charges. Her attorney told the court that Flores was injured during the US military raid. The judge asked Maduro to attend the hearing again on March 17.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, who are forcibly controlled by the US, appeared for the first time in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York at noon on the 5th to reject the US side's so-called “criminal” accusations. According to the Associated Press, Maduro was brought to court with his wife. The two wore headphones and communicated through a Spanish interpreter. Maduro stated in Spanish in court: “I was kidnapped here” and “I am not guilty. I'm not pleading guilty”. Maduro stressed that he is still the president of Venezuela. Maduro's wife, Celia Flores, also pleaded not guilty to the US charges. Her attorney told the court that Flores was injured during the US military raid. The judge asked Maduro to attend the hearing again on March 17.