The sound of clanking leg shackles announced Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's first appearance in a New York courtroom. Calmly, he told reporters and the court, "I am president of the Republic of Venezuela and I am here kidnapped since January 3rd." Maduro claimed he was "captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela." Judge Alvin Hellerstein responded, "There would be a time and a place to get into all of this." During the tense 40-minute arraignment, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to serious drug and weapon charges. "I'm innocent. I'm a decent man," Maduro said. Flores added, "I am completely innocent." The couple was arrested by US forces at their Venezuelan compound in a surprise operation that included missile strikes on military bases. Dressed in jail shirts and pants, they listened to Spanish translation via headphones and sat with an attorney between them as Maduro took detailed notes. Maduro greeted several courtroom members with nods on entering. When a man shouted from the audience that Maduro would "pay" for his crimes, the president calmly replied in Spanish, "I'm a kidnapped president and prisoner of war." The man was then escorted out in tears. Reporter Maibort Petit, who has covered Maduro's administration, said US missile strikes damaged her family home. She called the scene of Maduro in prison garb escorted by US marshals surreal. Flores appeared quiet, wearing bandages near her eyes and forehead from injuries claimed to be from the arrest. Lawyers requested medical care including an x-ray for possible bruised ribs and a fracture. The couple did not request bail during the hearing but may do so later, meaning they remain in federal custody. Maduro faces charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of weapons. His wife, son, and others are also charged. The next court hearing is set for 17 March.