{"id":29283,"date":"2026-01-07T06:54:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T06:54:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cndailynews.store\/?p=29283"},"modified":"2026-01-07T06:54:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T06:54:01","slug":"maduro-stunned-by-american-legal-rights-in-court","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cndailynews.store\/?p=29283","title":{"rendered":"Maduro Stunned By American Legal Rights in Court"},"content":{"rendered":"

Venezuelan dictator Nicol\u00e1s Maduro appeared visibly surprised Monday after learning of the constitutional rights afforded to criminal defendants in the American legal system during his first court appearance.<\/p>\n

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During the hearing, Maduro indicated he was previously unaware that he was entitled to legal counsel, had the right to remain silent, could seek bail, and that statements made outside the presence of an attorney could be excluded from evidence.<\/p>\n

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According to a transcript of the exchange provided by reporters present in the courtroom, the interaction unfolded as follows:<\/p>\n

Judge Alvin Hellerstein:<\/strong>\u00a0Are you Nicol\u00e1s Maduro Moros?<\/p>\n

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Maduro:<\/strong>\u00a0(In Spanish, via Inner City Press interpretation)<\/em>\u00a0I am the president of Venezuela. I consider myself a prisoner of war. I was captured at my home in Caracas.<\/p>\n

Judge:<\/strong>\u00a0Let me intervene. There will be time for this.<\/p>\n

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Judge:<\/strong>\u00a0I only want to know, are you Nicol\u00e1s Maduro Moros?<\/p>\n

Maduro:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes.<\/p>\n

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Judge:<\/strong>\u00a0Have you been served the indictment?<\/p>\n

Defense Lawyer:<\/strong>\u00a0We waive public reading.<\/p>\n

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Maduro:<\/strong>\u00a0I have it in my hands for the first time. I prefer to read it personally.<\/p>\n

Judge:<\/strong>\u00a0Anything you say may be used against you. I see you have counsel, Mr. Pollack, here. If you cannot afford an attorney, the government will provide one free of charge. Did you know of these rights?<\/p>\n

Maduro:<\/strong>\u00a0I did not know of these rights until now.<\/p>\n

Judge:<\/strong>\u00a0How do you plead?<\/p>\n

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Maduro:<\/strong>\u00a0I am innocent. I am a decent man. I am president\u2014<\/p>\n

Defense Lawyer:<\/strong>\u00a0It is a plea of not guilty to all counts.<\/p>\n

Judge:<\/strong>\u00a0Bridget\u2014\u00a0(addressing the courtroom deputy)<\/em>\u00a0She will arraign you.<\/p>\n

Deputy:<\/strong>\u00a0Have you seen the indictment?<\/p>\n

Maduro:<\/strong>\u00a0Seen, but not read.<\/p>\n

Deputy:<\/strong>\u00a0Have you discussed it with your lawyer?<\/p>\n

Maduro:<\/strong>\u00a0Partially.<\/p>\n

Deputy:<\/strong>\u00a0How do you plead?<\/p>\n

Maduro:<\/strong>\u00a0I am innocent. I am not guilty of anything that is mentioned here.<\/p>\n