Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro declared "I am innocent" during his explosive first appearance in a New York courtroom this week, calling his arrest a "kidnapping" and vowing to fight U.S. charges. The hearing, which trended globally on social media, saw Maduro assert he remains Venezuela's legitimate leader despite being detained.
Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty to related charges, with both claiming political persecution. The case has sparked debates about international law and sovereignty, with the next hearing set for March 17, 2026—mark your calendars! 📅
Analysts say the trial could strain U.S.-Venezuela relations further, while TikTok activists are already remixing courtroom footage with "House of the Dragon" memes 🐉. Whether you see this as justice or geopolitics, one thing’s clear: 2026’s first major legal showdown is heating up. 🔥
