Tensions rise in Venezuela as Maduro pleads not guilty in U.S. court

Fresh tensions are flaring in Venezuela after overnight gunfire was reported in the capital city of Caracas.

(NBC)-Fresh tensions are flaring in Venezuela after overnight gunfire was reported in the capital city of Caracas, raising new concerns about stability following the removal of the country’s longtime leader.

Two White House officials tell NBC News the Trump administration is closely monitoring the situation and emphasized that the United States was not involved in the overnight violence.

Meanwhile, in the United States, Venezuela’s deposed authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty in federal court to drug trafficking and weapons charges.

Appearing in a New York courtroom, Maduro claimed he remains Venezuela’s constitutional president, referring to himself as a “prisoner of war.”

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the Trump administration’s decision to capture and remove Maduro, accusing him of flooding the United States with illicit drugs.

“This was well within the president’s Article Two powers,” Bondi said. “It was a law enforcement function to arrest indicted individuals in Venezuela.”

President Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted that the U.S. is now “in charge” in Venezuela, even as interim president and Maduro loyalist Delcy Rodríguez was formally sworn into office.

In an exclusive interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, Trump said the U.S. is at war with drug traffickers — not with Venezuela itself. That argument has done little to ease criticism from Democrats, who say the administration acted without congressional authorization.

“It was military action, not a law enforcement action,” said Hakeem Jeffries.

Republican leadership has defended the operation following a classified briefing for the “Gang of Eight,” the top congressional leaders from both parties.

“The administration is acting consistent with the law, and that’s what we discussed in the room tonight,” said Mike Johnson.

President Trump has also told NBC News the U.S. may reimburse oil companies that assist in rebuilding Venezuela’s infrastructure, with the goal of expanding oil operations within the next 18 months.

As tensions continue both in Caracas and on Capitol Hill, lawmakers and international observers are closely watching what the next phase of U.S. involvement in Venezuela will bring.