Today, ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro appeared in federal court in New York for the first time since being captured in a U.S. military operation over the weekend.

He and his wife, Cilia Flores, both plead not guilty to the narco-terrorism charges they are facing.

Maduro’s trial is not being recorded, but here are a few clips from outside the courtroom:

Maduro insisted on his innocence multiple times in court, claiming he is a “decent man.”

NBC News reported:

Minutes after today’s proceedings started, Judge Alvin Hellerstein asked Nicolás Maduro to identify himself.

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“I am the president of the Republic of Venezuela and I am here kidnapped since January 3, Saturday,” Maduro said in Spanish in court. “I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.”

Hellerstein told him that he has the right to an attorney at no cost if he can’t afford one, and that he could be released before trial unless there is a reason not to.

“I did not know of these rights; your honor has informed me of them now,” Maduro said.

After being read a summary of the charging documents against him, ousted Venezuelan leader Maduro pleaded not guilty in federal court in New York.

“I am not guilty,” Maduro said in Spanish when Judge Hellerstein asked how he would plead.

“I am a decent man. I am still the president of my country,” Maduro added.

Cilia Flores entered a not guilty plea in court minutes ago.

“Not guilty, completely innocent,” Flores said in Spanish when asked by Judge Alvin Hellerstein.

Funnily enough, Maduro was reportedly “stunned” at the legal rights that the U.S. justice system affords to the accused.

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For instance, he did not know that he had the right to an attorney or to remain silent.

He also had no concept of bail.

This clip from Fox News explained:

BREAKING: MADURO “STUNNED” BY U.S. LEGAL RIGHTS AFTER ARREST

Nicolás Maduro is reportedly shocked by the rights afforded to him under the U.S. justice system, according to a Fox reporter.

After being read his rights, including access to an attorney, the right to remain silent, and the possibility of bail, Maduro reportedly said he was unaware such protections existed.

Observers say the moment underscores the contrast between U.S. legal norms and authoritarian rule.

Fox Reporter:

“He never even conjured the notion he gets an attorney, could apply for bail, can stay silent.

He was read his rights and the concept of bail, and said, ‘I am unaware of those rights.’

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We are witnessing history, capturing a dictator alive and moving him through our justice system flawlessly.”

Not like Venezuela, at all.

Talk about culture shock…

Nicolas Maduro’s wife was seen with notable injuries during her court appearance, including bruises and bandages on her face.

You can see the bruising on her face in this photo:

CNN has more on the injuries Flores reportedly sustained during the capture:

Cilia Flores sustained “significant injuries” this weekend when she was captured in Venezuela during a US military operation, her lawyer told the federal judge overseeing her criminal case.

Her attorney, Mark Donnelly, told senior US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein his client sustained “significant injuries during her abduction” this weekend and suggested she may have a fracture or severe bruising on her ribs and would need a physical evaluation.

The comments came just after Flores and her husband, the ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, pleaded not guilty to a series of federal charges at a New York courthouse Monday afternoon.

CNN reporters at the courthouse saw bandages on Flores’ head during the proceeding.

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As Maduro was leaving court, a man who claims to have been imprisoned in Venezuela for several months promised that the dictator “will pay.”

Maduro responded by calling himself a “prisoner of war.”

Per Fox News:

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro responded to a Spanish-speaking heckler as he was led out of a New York City courtroom on Monday.

The heckler, 33-year-old Pedro Rojas, said that “in the name of the people of Venezuela, Maduro will pay,” according to a translation.

Maduro responded, saying in Spanish, “I am a kidnapped president. I am a prisoner of war.”

Rojas told reporters after the interaction that he was a prisoner in Venezuela for four months.

Maduro and Flores’ next court appearance is scheduled for March 17th.

If convicted, he’s facing a life sentence.

I hope he’s getting comfy in prison.

Something tells me he won’t be leaving for a very long time…

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This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport. View the original article here.
 

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