Nicolás Maduro, the deposed president of Venezuela, pleaded not guilty on Monday to a string of U.S. federal charges including narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine during his first court appearance in Manhattan, setting the stage for a prolonged legal battle with significant geopolitical implications.

Appearing before U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein in New York, Maduro insisted he was innocent, declaring himself “a decent man” and asserting that he remains the lawful president of his country even as he faces life-long potential prison terms.

Accompanied by his wife, Cilia Flores, who also entered a not guilty plea to related counts, Maduro’s hearing marked a rare and high-profile prosecution of a foreign head of state after his arrest in a contentious U.S. operation days earlier.

Maduro and Flores were indicted on multiple charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States and weapons offences after a superseding indictment was unsealed following their removal from power by U.S. forces.

The legal action stems from long-standing U.S. allegations that Maduro and members of his inner circle oversaw extensive drug trafficking networks and shielded criminal organisations, including the Cartel of the Suns, to flood U.S. markets with cocaine.

Maduro’s defence team, led by prominent attorney Barry Pollack, is expected to challenge both the legality of his capture and his prosecution, potentially asserting sovereign immunity on the grounds of his status as a foreign leader.

Outside the courtroom, supporters and critics clashed amid heightened security, underscoring deep international divisions over the U.S. operation that transported Maduro to New York following an extraordinary raid in Caracas.

Flores appeared with visible bruising and injuries sustained during her arrest, prompting her lawyer to seek medical attention while she also denied all charges against her.

As legal proceedings continue, the next hearing is scheduled for mid-March, and the case promises to dominate both legal debate and diplomatic relations between Washington and Caracas, with broader consequences for U.S. policy in Latin America and global efforts against drug trafficking.