What are the charges against him and what’s next?

Nicolás Maduro, the ousted president of Venezuela, stood defiant in a New York courtroom Monday, declaring himself “the president of my country” as he pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges. These charges were used by the Trump administration to justify their ongoing attempts to remove him from power in Venezuela.

In Spanish, Maduro asserted, “I was captured,” as translated by a court interpreter. When asked for his plea, Maduro stated, “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the constitutional president of my country,” as reported by foreign media.

Upon leaving the courtroom, Maduro labeled his detention a “kidnapping” and described himself as a “prisoner of war.” His wife, who also pleaded not guilty, seemed more upbeat, according to a statement from her attorney, Mark E. Donnelly. “We look forward to reviewing and challenging the evidence the government has,” he said, foreign media reported.

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But what led to his capture?

The capture of a country’s president, followed by a court trial, comes against the broader diplomatic backdrop of US-led efforts to overthrow his government. US President Donald Trump had previously called for regime change in Venezuela, stating that it was necessary for US interests in the region. Earlier on Saturday, Maduro was captured along with his wife, Cilia Flores from their Caracas home during a nighttime military operation.

After which both Maduro and Flores were taken to court under tight security, marking the beginning of the US government’s long-anticipated prosecution of a sitting foreign head of state. Both Maduro and Flores were taken to court under tight security, wearing leg shackles and jail-issued clothing, where they both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The US government has accused Maduro, his wife, and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials of being deeply involved in a massive cocaine trafficking operation. Prosecutors allege that the couple, along with their accomplices, worked with terrorist-designated groups like Colombia’s FARC and Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel to smuggle tons of cocaine into the United States.

“These individuals abused their positions of public trust,” the US authorities said in their indictment. “They corrupted once-legitimate institutions to facilitate the trafficking of illegal drugs.”

Maduro’s lawyer, during the court proceedings, reportedly argued that the Venezuelan president should be immune from prosecution, citing his position as a sovereign leader. Despite this defense, Maduro’s legal team faces a tough challenge, given the historical precedent set during the 1989 US invasion of Panama, where the courts rejected immunity claims made by then-leader Manuel Noriega, who faced similar charges.

The criminal case against Maduro, which began in the US District Court for Manhattan, involves serious charges of conspiracy, drug trafficking, and using illegal weapons to facilitate the trade. Apart from Maduro, ex-government officials and supposed gang leaders—have been included in the indictment.

Among the very shocking disclosures in the documents submitted to court was the implication that the son of Maduro, Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra, had a hand in various cocaine exports to the US. It has been alleged by the prosecutor that he not only helped in coordinating the delivery of drugs to Miami but also discussed the details of smuggling operations with criminal partners.

The legal battle is expected to unfold over several months, with no clear timeline for a trial. As a criminal defendant, Maduro has the right to a jury trial, but experts suggest that his defense team may attempt to get the charges dismissed based on his immunity as a foreign head of state.

The case will be overseen by US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who has previously ruled on cases involving Venezuelan officials.