Maduro Pleads Not Guilty to Narco-Terrorism Charges in US Court

• Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro appeared in a New York court, pleading not guilty to narco-terrorism and weapons charges.
• Maduro claims he is innocent and was "kidnapped" from his home in Caracas, Venezuela, two days prior to the hearing.
• Charges include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and machine gun possession, alleging he abused public trust to funnel cocaine into the US.
• His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty; both are accused of working with cartels like Sinaloa and Tren de Aragua.
• Maduro's defense will likely argue immunity as a head of state, but the Manuel Noriega precedent may undermine this. Next hearing: March 17.

Why It Matters: Maduro and Flores face serious narco-terrorism charges in the US, pleading not guilty and claiming immunity.