Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Thursday pleaded not guilty to charges that he tortured Venezuelans while in power.

He and his wife each pleaded not guilty, Politico reported. His appearance in court saw the former Venezuelan leader repeatedly assert his innocence and denounce the claims against him.

“I reject this document in its entirety of false accusations and false testimony,” he said. 

The U.S. apprehended Maduro earlier this year in an operation that saw American forces extract him from the country to face charges for alleged drug trafficking. Prosecutors have since added a litany of charges related to his time in office.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.