Nicolas Maduro, the ousted president of Venezuela, made a statement about his innocence at a court hearing in the U.S., according to Reuters.
The first court session took place in New York, where Maduro stated: "I am innocent, I am an honorable man, I am still the president of my country," after which his speech was interrupted by Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
Maduro noted that he had reviewed the indictment but had not read it in full, discussing only part of it with his lawyer. His wife, Cilia Flores, confirmed her identity and legal representation, after which she also declared her innocence through a translator, adding: "I am not guilty, I am completely innocent." The judge recorded their statements in the protocol.
During the session, Maduro actively took notes and requested permission to keep them. The judge confirmed his right to do so, and the prosecution did not object. Hellerstein also reminded Maduro and Flores of their right to notify the Venezuelan consulate of their detention, after which both expressed a desire for a consular visit. The next court session is scheduled for March 17.
Maduro's son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, spoke at the National Assembly of Venezuela, stating that his father and stepmother had been "kidnapped" by the United States. He expressed hope that, thanks to the efforts of the people both inside and outside the country, they would return.
"We will see them again," he promised.
According to Reuters, Venezuela intends to arrest everyone who supported the U.S. attack. In response to the events, the Venezuelan government declared a state of emergency, demanding that the police immediately begin a nationwide search and detention of all involved in supporting this attack.
Switzerland has frozen the assets of Maduro and his entourage, Bloomberg reports. The decision by the Swiss government concerns all assets belonging to Maduro and his close associates located within the country. This is done to prevent the possible transfer of assets that may have been acquired illegally.
The measure takes effect immediately and will remain in force for four years, until further notice. The Swiss Foreign Ministry did not specify the exact amount of Maduro's assets held in the country.
DW columnist Dirk Emmerich notes that U.S. intervention in Venezuela's affairs symbolizes the end of the rules-based order upheld by the EU. He emphasizes that the European Union and Germany are shocked by the events and are responding with diplomatic phrases.
"The EU also did not wish for Maduro to remain in power, but such actions, carried out with gross violations of international law, are unacceptable," Emmerich asserts, pointing out that the world based on Western values is crumbling beyond Europe.
According to the columnist, Trump's foreign policy is neither unpredictable nor isolationist; it follows a clear strategy. Comparing Trump's actions to a "law enforcement operation," Emmerich draws parallels with Putin's rhetoric about a "special military operation," expressing confidence that the old world order is collapsing and a new one, based on the spheres of influence of great powers such as the U.S., China, and Russia, may emerge.
