Maduro in NY court: first hearing

The first (preliminary) hearing in the case of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, took place in a federal court in Manhattan, New York. Maduro spoke in Spanish with a translator, declaring complete innocence: "I am innocent, I am an honest man, I am the president." He faces charges of narcoterrorism, illegal trafficking of cocaine and weapons. Cilia Flores also denies guilt in the cocaine case. Maduro said he had never seen the indictment before and does not know his rights. The judge interrupted his statement and allowed a consular visit by Venezuelan diplomats. The court outlined further stages of the investigation.