NEW YORK — Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty Monday to federal drug trafficking charges during an initial court appearance in New York, and was held in custody pending further proceedings, U.S. authorities said.
Prosecutors accuse Maduro of participating in a transnational narcotics conspiracy to traffic large quantities of cocaine into the United States. Court documents describe him as a central figure in what officials call a “narco-terrorism” operation.
Maduro’s lawyers denied the allegations and said he plans to contest the evidence. Federal authorities cited the seriousness of the charges and the international scope of the alleged crimes in ordering him detained.
The case involves multiple federal agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, and relies on witness testimony, financial records, and surveillance gathered over several years. A future court schedule has not been finalized.
U.S. officials said sanctions and diplomatic measures targeting Venezuelan entities remain in place, and they emphasized the case is part of ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking linked to Venezuelan officials.