Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who is presiding over the trial of Nicolas Maduro, recently entered the courtroom in Lower Manhattan, New York, for the preliminary hearing. Maduro wears a short-sleeved navy blue shirt over his orange prison jumpsuit and has black headphones, probably for simultaneous translation. His hair is streaked with gray and he is taking notes. Maduro wears black headphones, as does his wife, Cilia Flores, sitting two seats away, in similar attire in the same navy and orange colors.
Maduro speaks in Spanish: “I am the president, I am innocent”
Nicolas Maduro identifies himself to judge Alvin Hellerstein in Spanish: he confirms that he is Maduro and that he is the president of Venezuela. Then he adds that he found himself in the courtroom «kidnapped. I was captured in my home in Caracas.” The American media reported it. “I’m innocent, I’m not guilty,” he added, pleading not guilty to the charges against him. Cilia Flores, Maduro’s wife, confirms her identity in court and states: “I am the First Lady of Venezuela.” The American media reported it. “I am completely innocent,” he added.
“Maduro has health problems”
Nicolas Maduro has “health problems”. His lawyer Barry Pollack said this, adding that Maduro’s wife also has medical problems and could have a fracture following the American military operation.
The next hearing set for March 17
Judge Alvin Hellerstein of the Lower Manhattan court has scheduled the next hearing in which the deposed president of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro is accused for March 17.
Maduro: “I am a prisoner of war”
“I am a prisoner of war.” So Maduro in Spanish leaving the courtroom, where his feet were shackled and he was wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt over an orange prisoner’s jumpsuit. The American media reported it.