Nicolás Maduro and Wife Cilia Flores Plead Not Guilty on All Charges

Nicolás Maduro, Cilia Flores Plead Not Guilty on All Charges

Published January 5, 2026 9:30 AM PST | Updated January 5, 2026 10:30 AM PST

Ousted Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared Monday in a New York court where they pleaded not guilty on all charges of alleged drug trafficking and other serious crimes.

Remember ... Maduro is charged with narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and other offenses, while Flores faces charges including cocaine importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns.

In addition to the not guilty pleas, Maduro is also not seeking bail at this time and contends he is "still the president of Venezuela."

Lawyers for the couple noted the former dictator has medical issues that will require treatment. They also alleged Flores suffered bruised ribs during their abduction.

As we reported ... the pair was taken by U.S. troops over the weekend and transported via warship to New York to face charges. Cuban officials reported 32 of its citizens had been killed in the attack.

Monday morning, Maduro and Flores were filmed wearing handcuffs and shackles — being led by heavily-armed federal agents into a helicopter for the short flight from a detention center in Brooklyn to lower Manhattan, where they made their first appearances in court after being indicted.

Following Maduro's removal, his vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, has reportedly been sworn in as president.

When asked about her, President Donald Trump said, "She’s, I guess, the president," and said she was "picked by Maduro."