Former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro appeared for the first time before a court in New York alongside his wife, Cilia Flores, where both pleaded not guilty to charges brought against them by the United States.

Hours earlier in Caracas, Delcy Rodríguez, who had served as vice president since 2018, was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president. In her address, Rodríguez called on the United States to release Maduro, insisting he remains the country’s legitimate leader.

Rodríguez, 56, said she was deeply distressed by what she described as the “abduction” of Maduro and his wife, claiming the two were taken from their home late Friday night during a covert operation by U.S. commandos. The arrests have triggered sharp political reactions both inside Venezuela and internationally.

In the Manhattan courtroom, Maduro formally denied all drug-trafficking-related charges at the opening of a trial expected to draw global attention. Various officials and critics of the Trump administration in the United States have argued that Washington’s move was driven less by the fight against narcotics and more by strategic interests in Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, estimated to account for about 20 percent of the world’s proven crude oil resources.

The brief hearing was presided over by 92-year-old Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who read out four charges against Maduro and three against Flores. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi outlined the charges as conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, possession of machine guns and explosive devices, and conspiracy to use such weapons to harm the United States.

Maduro appeared in court wearing a blue V-neck sweater over an orange T-shirt and khaki trousers, with his ankles shackled. Both he and his wife wore headsets for English-to-Spanish translation. Aged 63, Maduro sought to address the court but was first asked by the judge to confirm his identity, which he did.

When invited to respond to the charges, Maduro declared that he was innocent, rejected all accusations and described himself as a dignified man who remains the president of Venezuela. Judge Hellerstein interrupted him, stating that there would be an appropriate time and place to address such claims.

Flores, 69, also confirmed her identity before rejecting the three charges against her, describing herself as Venezuela’s first lady and saying she was completely innocent. The judge reminded both defendants of their legal rights, including the right to legal representation and the right to remain silent.

Maduro is being represented by Washington-based attorney Barry Pollack, who has previously represented figures such as Julian Assange, while Flores is represented by Houston lawyer Mark E. Donnelly.

The hearing lasted about 30 minutes, after which Judge Hellerstein scheduled the next court date for March 17. The case is expected to stretch over several months.

As the defendants were led out of the courtroom, one attendee shouted at Maduro in Spanish, demanding accountability for his actions. Maduro turned and responded that he was a kidnapped president and a prisoner of war before leaving the court, with his wife following closely behind.