Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife plead not guilty
UPDATE (11:10 AM): According to NBC News, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to federal charges during a New York court appearance Monday.
Both are charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons offenses.
After entering their pleas, Maduro was taken back to a Brooklyn jail.
During the hearing, Maduro told the New York courtroom he remains the president of Venezuela, and said he was "kidnapped" in the weekend military raid in Caracas.
After the hearing, Maduro's attorney, Barry Pollack, supported his clients claims saying, "I think what President Maduro said in court speaks for himself."
Maduro's next court hearing in the case will be March 17.
President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is "in charge" of Venezuela, and warned its interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, to cooperate or pay a "very big price."
UPDATE (10:10 AM): Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is making his first court appearance in New York.
To watch the livestream of the coverage, see attached video.
WASHINGTON (NBC, KYMA) - Ousted Venezuelan authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro is scheduled to make his first court appearance in New York Monday after the United States captured him in a surprise attack over the weekend.
President Maduro and his wife are charged in the U.S. with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, conspiracy, and weapons charges.
As Maduro prepares for his first court appearance, President Donald Trump is again asserting the U.S. is in charge in Venezuela.
"We're going to run it, fix it. We'll have elections at the right time, but the main thing you have to fix, it's a broken country," President Trump expressed.
This comes amid new details about the U.S. mission to capture Maduro and his wife and key advisor Cilia Flores at their Venezuelan compound, including strikes from 150 American aircraft after a secret CIA team laid the groundwork for months.
Trump said the country's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, a close Maduro ally, is now cooperating, and must continue to.
"If they don't behave, we will do a second strike," Trump remarked.
The president also said American oil companies will go in to rebuild infrastructure and take over Venezuela's rich oil supply.
"They're going to take the oil out of the ground, and we're taking back what they stole. Remember, they stole our property," Trump shared.
On a divided Capitol Hill, Democrats said the administration should have asked for congressional authorization to strike.
"Only Congress has the power to declare war," said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), House Majority Leader.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is pushing back saying, "This was not an action that required congressional approval. In fact, it couldn't require congressional approval because this was not an invasion."
Republicans also defend the move and many Venezuelans who fled the country's authoritarian rule hope for a better future.
"Thank you, President Trump, for taking the action to protect American lives, to protect American interests," said Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL).
Secretary Rubio argued the U.S. is at war with drug trafficking operations, not Venezuela, as Trump suggested neighboring Colombia could be next.
Top congressional leaders are due for a briefing Monday on Capitol Hill, according to four sources, with lawmakers in both parties press for more information.
