Nicolás Maduro, the ousted president of Venezuela, made a statement about his innocence at his first court hearing in the United States, Reuters reports.
The hearing took place in New York, where Maduro emphasized his innocence, stating: “I am an honorable man, I am innocent and I remain the president of my country.” His speech was interrupted by Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
Maduro noted that he had reviewed the indictment, but had not managed to read it in full, discussing only some points with his lawyer. His wife, Cilia Flores, also confirmed her identity and the presence of legal representation, adding through a translator: “I am completely innocent.” The judge recorded their statements in the protocol.
During the session, Maduro actively took notes and requested permission to keep them. The judge allowed this, and the prosecution did not object. Hellerstein also reminded the couple of their right to notify the Venezuelan consulate of their detention, to which they expressed a desire to receive a consular visit. The next hearing is scheduled for March 17.
Nicolás Maduro Guerra, the son of the ousted president, spoke in the National Assembly of Venezuela, praising his father and stepmother, claiming that they had become victims of a “kidnapping” by the United States.
“The people's struggle, both inside the country and beyond its borders, will ensure their return; we will see them again,” he promised.
According to Reuters, Venezuela plans to arrest everyone who supported the actions of the United States. In connection with Maduro's ousting, the Venezuelan government declared a state of emergency, instructing the police to begin a nationwide search and detention of all those involved in supporting the armed attack by the United States.
Switzerland has frozen the assets of Maduro and his entourage, Bloomberg reports. The Swiss government decided to freeze all assets belonging to Maduro and his close associates located in the country to prevent their possible transfer, obtained illegally. This measure takes effect immediately and will remain in force for four years until further notice. The Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not specify how many assets related to Maduro are held in the country.
Dirk Emmerich, a columnist for DW, noted that U.S. intervention in Venezuela's affairs marks the end of the rules-based order upheld by the EU. He emphasized that the European Union and Germany are shocked by the events and are responding with formal statements.
“The EU did not want Maduro to remain in power, but such a blatant and targeted violation of international law by Trump is unacceptable,” Emmerich noted. He added that Europe continues to live in a world based on values, which, in his opinion, no longer exists beyond its borders.
According to the columnist, Trump’s foreign policy is neither unpredictable nor isolationist, but follows a clear strategy. Describing Maduro's takeover as a “law enforcement operation” resembles Putin's statements about his “special military operation.” Emmerich is convinced that the old world order is destroyed, and a new one may emerge based on spheres of influence, where “great powers — the U.S., China, and Russia — will act at their discretion.”
