It’s safe to say that 2026 hasn’t started on a positive note for Nicolás Maduro, the former Venezuelan President, known for his authoritarian rule and alleged involvement in drug trafficking, along with his wife, Cilia Flores, who is also accused of similar crimes.

This past Monday, the duo’s troubles compounded further. Just two days prior, they were indicted in New York on federal charges, including narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking, and the illegal accumulation of weapons and explosives. These charges also allege that they plotted to wage a campaign against the United States.

In their initial court hearing, the ex-leader vehemently proclaimed his innocence, delivering a fiery outburst. Can you guess how that played out?

Maduro, clad in an orange jumpsuit and shackled at the ankles, defiantly asserted his claims of innocence in Spanish:

As anticipated, Judge Alvin Hellerstein promptly interrupted the former leader’s tirade:

I’m the president of the republic of Venezuela. … I am here kidnapped … I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.

As my headline suggests, Judge Alvin Hellerstein cut the erstwhile dictator off in a flash:

Let me interfere — there will be a time and a place to go into all of this. Your counsel will be able to make motions. … At this time, I just want to know one thing: Are you Nicolás Maduro Moros?

“I am Nicolás Maduro Moros,’’ the fallen dictator replied.

After Maduro appeared to settle down a bit, the judge read the charges against him:

Mr. Maduro … is charged in one count of narco-terrorism conspiracy, specifically from 1999 to 2025, he knowingly conspired with others … and intentionally provided something of pecuniary value to a person or organization engaged in terrorism and terrorist activity.

After Judge Hellerstein asked Maduro if he understood he had the right to legal counsel, he responded — again:

I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country. I am not guilty of anything that is mentioned here.

Cilia Flores, who also faces a myriad of charges, declared at the same proceeding that she is “completely innocent” when asked by Hellerstein for her plea.