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Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court on January 5, in a case that could test head-of-state immunity and reshape U.S.–Latin America relations.

This was reported by the Infohub.kz news agency.

What they said in court

Before the judge, Maduro stated, “I was detained at my home in Caracas,” and repeated, “I am still the president of Venezuela,” according to media covering the hearing.

Outlets including CNN and La Patilla reported that the indictment includes counts related to narcotics and firearms.

Flores’s plea and a 2007 allegation

Flores also pleaded not guilty and referred to herself as “the first lady of Venezuela.” Investigators allege that in 2007 she accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars to arrange a meeting between a major drug trafficker and the head of Venezuela’s National Anti-Drug Office.

Reporters observing the proceeding said Flores was injured during what they described as a “chokehold abduction.” Defense lawyers have not yet sought release on bail.

Defense: ‘military abduction’ and immunity

Maduro’s attorney, Barry Pollack, told the court his client needs medical care and argued that U.S. forces seized Maduro abroad at night in an unlawful “military abduction,” casting doubt on the propriety of the prosecution.

Pollack also urged the court to consider privileges and immunities afforded to a sitting head of state under international law. The veteran lawyer previously helped lead the defense of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

What comes next

In the next stages, the court is expected to examine the legality of the arrest, the scope of any head-of-state immunity, and the evidentiary basis for the 2007 bribery allegation. As of now, neither side has changed its position on bail.