Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro has been brought before a court in New York, making his first appearance since he was captured in Caracas over the weekend and taken to the United States. According to reports from American media, Maduro appeared calm despite allegations of narco-terrorism. He himself denies any wrongdoing, insisting on his innocence.

The background to the arrest is complex, but the charges Maduro now faces in an American court primarily concern allegations of narco-terrorism and firearms offenses directed against the United States. At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the operation against Venezuela aimed to take control over the country’s oil resources.

ALSO READ: Trump: The U.S. Will Control Venezuela

Maduro is accused of protecting and collaborating with criminal gangs and guerrilla groups by allowing them to smuggle drugs through Venezuela with the United States as the final destination. In this context, it should be noted that Venezuela is heavily sanctioned and lacks regular transport connections to the USA.

Opinions differ on the extent to which Maduro himself is directly involved in drug smuggling. He denies the allegations, claiming that armed groups with ties to Colombia are responsible for the trafficking of drugs, mostly originating from Colombia — and that border regions are exploited for onward transport. According to Maduro, the Venezuelan military actively tries to stop this activity. It remains unclear whether there is any truth to this defense.

Regarding fentanyl, several analysts instead point to China as the production’s source country, while the smuggling into the USA is primarily considered to occur via Mexico. However, according to U.S. authorities and statements from government officials, Venezuela is also said to facilitate these flows.

Maduro, who still sees himself as Venezuela’s sitting president, denied all charges during Monday’s hearing at the federal court in New York’s southern district. Before Judge Alvin Hellerstein, he stated that he is not in the U.S. of his own free will.

– I am innocent. I am the president of Venezuela. I was captured in my home in Caracas, Venezuela, said Maduro, insisting he is a law-abiding person.

– I am innocent. I am a law-abiding man.

Later, Maduro wanted to give an address in Spanish, but Judge Alvin Hellerstein intervened and interrupted him. According to Hellerstein, Maduro will have to wait until later in the legal process. Maduro is due to appear in court for questioning on March 17.

Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, who is charged in the same narco-terrorism case, also rejected all accusations. She declared herself “completely innocent.”

Outside the courthouse in New York, both supporters and opponents of Maduro had gathered to demonstrate.

Cuba Next After Greenland

In a statement aboard Air Force One in the early hours of Monday, Swedish time, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said that Venezuela was not the only target and that Cuba is next in line. Graham is known as one of Washington’s most hardline politicians regarding the war in Ukraine, which he wants to continue until Russia withdraws from the country.

ALSO READ: Trump to Continue Conquest Tour: “We Need Greenland”

President Donald Trump also reminded that the U.S. needs Greenland, but also that Colombia could be next. This is due to the flow of cocaine from the country and his belief that Colombian President Gustavo Petro is “a sick man.”

Russia: “We Cannot Have the U.S. as the Judge of the World”

On Monday, the UN Security Council held a meeting where Russia launched a strong attack on the United States following Nicolás Maduro’s arrest. During the meeting, Russian UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzya demanded the immediate release of both Maduro and his wife.

The Russian ambassador warned that U.S. actions risk far-reaching consequences and described it as a step towards a new form of great power rule, involving colonialism and imperialism.

– The attack on Venezuela’s leader has become a sign of a return to an era of anarchy and American dominance through force, he said, and continued among other things:

– We cannot allow the United States to proclaim itself as some kind of supreme judge, that alone deems itself entitled to invade any country, appoint the guilty, pass sentences, and execute them — regardless of international law, sovereignty, and the principle of non-interference.

In his address, he also criticized what he described as the double standards of the U.S. and the EU. The statement was perceived as an indirect reference to international criticism of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

– Those who, under other circumstances, foam at the mouth and demand respect for the UN Charter look especially like hypocrites today.