New York, 5 January 2026 (dpa/MIA) - Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, who was captured by special forces and transported to the United States, has pleaded not guilty to drug offences in a New York court, US media reported from the courtroom on Monday.

The 63-year-old was brought for an initial hearing at midday (1700 GMT). Upon arriving in the courtroom, he shook hands with his lawyers and wore headphones for translation, the New York Times and the broadcaster Sky News reported.

His wife, Cilia Flores, who is also accused, pleaded not guilty as well.

Both were captured by US special forces in Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday morning and subsequently brought to a detention facility in New York.

The US justice system accuses the authoritarian leader of conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine.

From the US perspective, Maduro is said to have used his office, illegally obtained through election fraud, to enable thousands of tons of cocaine to be transported to the US.

Maduro allegedly benefited personally from this and is said to have allied himself with drug dealers.

He is also charged with the unlawful possession of machine guns and explosives. Alongside Maduro's wife, his son is also co-accused.

Additionally, the charges are directed against the current and former interior ministers of Venezuela.

Photo: dpa/epa