Maduro in shackles at US Court, pleads not guilty, claims “I’m a decent President.”

Maduro and his wife in handcuff. Photo: Getty Images

… concerned that “rules of international law have not been respected” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said.

Venezuela’s embattled leader, Nicolás Maduro, told a federal court in New York that he remains the country’s president on Monday as he entered not-guilty pleas to sweeping US charges including narco-terrorism and weapons offences.

Appearing before the US District Court for the Southern District of New York in a prison uniform, with his feet shackled, Maduro rejected all four counts on the indictment.

Speaking through an interpreter, he insisted on his innocence, declaring: “I’m a decent man, the president of my country.”

His wife, Cilia Flores, who was seized alongside him, also pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and weapons charges.

The courtroom proceedings followed a dramatic weekend operation in which US special forces detained the couple at their Caracas compound and flew them to the United States.

Images circulated earlier showed the pair being transferred to the courthouse in handcuffs under heavy guard.

Maduro is not seeking bail at this stage, according to his lawyer, though the option remains open.

The arrest has triggered international unease. At an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was concerned that “rules of international law have not been respected” in the US action against Venezuela.

Back home, political uncertainty deepened as preparations were made for Delcy Rodríguez to be sworn in before the National Assembly as the country’s new leader, marking a decisive shift in Caracas’ power structure.

Maduro is being represented by US attorney Barry Joel Pollack, known for previously acting for Julian Assange.

The judge ordered Maduro to return to court for his next hearing on 17 March, as the case that could redefine US–Venezuela relations moves forward.