Nicolás Maduro pleads not guilty in US Court, trial adjourned to March

The trial of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been adjourned to March 17, 2026, following his arraignment before a federal court in New York on Monday.

Maduro, who was seized by U.S. Special Forces from his residence in the early hours of Saturday, pleaded not guilty to charges of narcotics trafficking and weapons smuggling.

Addressing the court, Maduro described himself as a “decent man” and reiterated his claim to the Venezuelan presidency, asserting, “I am still the president of my country.”

The adjournment gives both the prosecution and defense time to prepare their cases ahead of what is expected to be a high-profile and closely watched trial, with implications for international politics and U.S.-Venezuela relations.