Nicolás Maduro, the deposed president of Venezuela, appeared in a New York courtroom for his preliminary hearing after being captured in a dramatic US military operation. The hearing was marked by a heated exchange between Maduro and a man who claimed to have been imprisoned by his regime, with Maduro shouting back and asserting his innocence. Both Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to charges including drug trafficking, and Flores showed visible injuries allegedly sustained during their apprehension. The courtroom was packed with spectators, and outside, pro and anti-Maduro protesters clashed as security remained tight.

Maduro's arrest followed a high-risk raid in Caracas, which reportedly resulted in casualties and international condemnation from countries allied with his government. The US operation, personally authorized by Donald Trump, aimed to remove Maduro but stopped short of seeking full regime change. As the legal process begins, the fate of Venezuela's leadership remains uncertain, with interim leaders stepping in and the opposition expressing frustration at being sidelined.