Two days following their second court appearance at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, shared a three-part message on Maduro's X account this past Saturday.
This announcement, addressed to the Venezuelan populace and "people of goodwill across the globe," marks the couple's first joint public statement since their Thursday hearing with Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
"Your messages, emails, letters, and prayers have reached us. Every word of love, every gesture of affection, every expression of support fills our souls and strengthens us spiritually. We are well, steadfast, serene, and in constant prayer," they wrote.
Their message, sent from New York where they have been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since January 3, 2026, also included a plea for national reconciliation.
"More than ever, we urge the continuation of national peace, unity, reconciliation, forgiveness, and the reunion of all people. Let no one stray from the path of dialogue, coexistence, and respect, as it is the path of the homeland, the path of good," they emphasized.
Reactions and Legal Challenges
This statement followed a court session in which Judge Hellerstein denied the defense's motion to dismiss charges, although he questioned the Venezuelan funds blockade hindering the accused's legal representation. During the hearing, Maduro exhibited noticeable nervousness and tics, evoking laughter in the courtroom, contrasting with Cilia Flores' calmer demeanor. As the session ended, Maduro shook hands with his lawyer, saying "See you tomorrow" before being escorted.
Family and Political Reactions
On the same day the message was released, Maduro's son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra—a Venezuelan National Assembly deputy and also implicated in the U.S. prosecution—stated in an RT interview that there's no evidence of wrongdoing by Maduro and Flores, labeling the proceedings a "political trial."
Maduro and Flores are facing charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess weapons of war, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Last Thursday, President Donald Trump remarked that the current charges are merely a fraction of Maduro's alleged crimes and predicted further indictments against him and other Venezuelan officials.
Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar expressed her satisfaction with the judicial process's progress: "In the end, all dictators must answer for their actions."
Key Questions About Maduro's Legal Proceedings
What charges are Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores facing?
They are accused of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess weapons of war, which could lead to a life sentence if convicted.
How did Judge Alvin Hellerstein respond to the defense's motion?
Judge Hellerstein rejected the defense's motion to dismiss the charges but raised concerns about the blocked Venezuelan funds that are supposed to finance the defendants' legal defense.