At noon on Monday, Nicolás Maduro entered a Manhattan federal courtroom after being captured early Saturday in Caracas. This marked a dramatic move from Venezuela’s capital to a US court. Maduro appeared confident, walking into the courtroom with ankle shackles but no handcuffs. He greeted the public with a simple “Happy new year!” in English. His wife, Cilia Flores, also appeared, wearing jail clothing and showing two large Band-Aids on her face. The arraignment was for narco-terrorism charges filed by the Donald Trump justice department. Both Maduro and Flores used headphones for live English-to-Spanish translation. Judge Alvin Hellerstein began the hearing with casual greetings but soon addressed the serious charges. Maduro confirmed his identity but insisted he is the constitutional president of Venezuela. “I am here, kidnapped since 3 January,” he said. He said he was captured at home. Although asked to let the court read the charges, Maduro said he had his charging papers and would read them himself. His mood was defiant, occasionally resting his hands on the table or clasping his fingers forward towards the judge. He pleaded not guilty in both Spanish and English, “soy inocente” and “no soy culpable.” His lawyer signaled him to stop his long statements. Flores also pleaded not guilty, calling herself the “first lady of Venezuela” and “completamente inocente.” Maduro requested to keep his notes during the trial, which the prosecution said they would arrange with jail officials. Neither Maduro nor Flores asked for bail but may do so later. Their lawyers requested medical care, with Flores’s attorney citing injuries from her capture, including a possible broken rib. Judge Hellerstein set the next court date for 17 March. As Maduro left the courtroom, a US marshal took a pen from him for security. Someone in the audience shouted that Maduro is not a legitimate president. Maduro responded firmly, “I’m a kidnapped president – a prisoner of war!”