Maduro breaks his silence and says he’s been ‘kidnapped’ by US in first court appearance as former president pleads not guilty: Live updates

Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty after requesting to read the federal indictment in person.

‘I am innocent. I am not guilty. “I’m a decent man,” Maduro said, according to court reporters.

Maduro told the judge that he saw the indictment for the “first time” and that he would “prefer to read it personally.”

She declared to New York federal judge Alvin K. Hellerstein that she had been ‘kidnapped’ from her home, according to court reporters.

When asked by Hellerstein to introduce himself, Maduro said he was the president of Venezuela and that he was ‘captured at my home in Caracas Venezuela.’

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was reportedly fidgeting throughout his trial.

Reporters noted that he would occasionally fold his hands, bow his head, and look around the room.

Maduro and his wife are sitting apart, with a chair between them, and both are wearing dark prison scrubs.

Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, said they are not seeking bail or release at this time.

‘Mr. His lawyer told the judge that Maduro is not seeking release at this time, according to court reporters.

Flores’ lawyer said he would not seek bail today but plans to do so later.

Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein informed Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores that they have the right to meet with the Venezuelan consulate.

Both informed the judge that they wanted to exercise their rights.

Maduro said, ‘Yes, we understand and we would like to make such a consulate visit.’

Flores also said: ‘Yes, I understand and I would like the consular visit to take place.’

Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein interrupted Nicolas Maduro, who said he was innocent during his first court appearance on narco-terrorism charges.

“I’m still the president of my country,” Maduro insisted while pleading not guilty, according to court reporters.

Hellerstein interrupted and said: ‘A declaration of innocence will be presented on behalf of Mr. Maduro.’

When asked again about his defense, Maduro said, ‘I am innocent.’ I am not guilty of anything mentioned here.’

The brazen operation to capture despot Nicolas Maduro was undeniably one of the most daring raids in US military history.

More than 150 warplanes sneaked into Venezuela via the Caribbean at midnight. Armed to the teeth, they destroyed the country’s Russian-built defenses and plunged the South American country’s capital, Caracas, into darkness.

Within two and a half hours of receiving orders from President Donald Trump, elite troops had infiltrated Maduro’s home and taken him and his wife to the United States, where the Trump administration planned to try the “narco terrorist” on drug and weapons charges.

Nicolas Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, has pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges, according to court reporters.

When asked to introduce herself, she said, ‘I am the First Lady of the Republic of Venezuela.’

He waived the formal reading of the indictment and presented his defense.

‘He is not guilty, he is completely innocent,’ he said.

Stocks rose sharply on Monday after Donald Trump announced plans to take over Venezuela’s oil industry following the capture of socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro.

While the Dow reached all-time highs with an increase of 1.4 percent, the technology-heavy Nasdaq rose 0.9 percent and the broad-basket S&P 500 index rose 0.7 percent.

Crude oil prices remained fairly stable as investors bet that military action would not lead to broader geopolitical consequences. US crude oil fell 31 cents, or 0.54 percent, to $57.01 per barrel, while global benchmark Brent fell 22 cents to $60.53.

Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein told Nicolas Maduro it was his duty to ensure he received a fair trial, according to court reporters.

“It is my duty in these pre-trial proceedings and ultimately at trial to ensure that this is a fair trial and a fair trial,” Hellerstein said.

Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia, entered a New York City federal courtroom for their first hearing, according to court reporters.

The deposed Venezuelan president and his wife wear headphones to listen to the minutes as they are translated.

Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein greeted Maduro with a ‘good morning’ and Maduro reportedly nodded and waved at him in return.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein will preside over Nicolas Maduro’s hearing today.

The 92-year-old was nominated and confirmed to the bench by President Bill Clinton in 1998.

He has been a senior judge in the Southern District of New York since 2011 and has presided over many terrorism cases, including cases related to the September 11 attacks.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez made a statement on Instagram calling for cooperation with the United States.

‘Venezuela reaffirms its commitment to peace and peaceful coexistence,’ he wrote.

We consider it a priority to move toward a balanced and respectful international relationship based on sovereign equality and non-interference between the United States and Venezuela and between Venezuela and the countries of the region.

‘We call on the U.S. government to work together on a cooperative agenda for common development under international law and to strengthen the lasting coexistence of communities.’

He also had a message for Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump: Our people and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war. “This has always been the position of President Nicolás Maduro and now of all of Venezuela,” he wrote.

‘This is the Venezuela I believe in, the Venezuela to which I devoted my life. My dream is for Venezuela to become a great power where all good Venezuelans can come together.’