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DEFIANT MADURO CLAIMS INNOCENCE, HOLDS ON TO VENEZUELA PRESIDENCY Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | 16 Rajabul Murajjab, 1447
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MADURO PLEADS ‘NOT GUILTY’ UPON ARRIVAL AT NEW YORK COURT AFTER CAPTURE
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XVI No 182 | 48 Pages | Islamabad Edition
INTERIM VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ CALLS FOR ‘BALANCED AND RESPECTFUL’ RELATIONSHIP WITH WASHINGTON
US PRESIDENT TRUMP SEEKS ‘TOTAL ACCESS’ TO VENEZUELAN OIL NEW YORK agencies
EPOSED Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on Monday declared himself “innocent” and a “decent man,” saying he is still the president of his country, as he pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in a United States courtroom. “I was kidnapped,” Maduro said as he pleaded not guilty in US court. Earlier, Maduro arrived at a New York court on Monday, just days after being seized in Caracas in a shock US military operation that paved the path for Washington’s plans to control the oil-rich country. Meanwhile, Interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez called for a “balanced and respectful” relationship with Washington during the transition of power, as President Donald Trump insists the US is in control of Venezuela. Maduro, 63, faces narcotrafficking charges along with his wife, Cilia Flores.
The pair were forcibly taken out of Caracas in a US assault on Saturday, in which commandos swooped in on helicopters, backed by fighter jets and naval forces, to capture them. On Monday morning, Maduro was escorted by heavily armed law enforcement officers to a courthouse in New York, having been transported by helicopter and armoured car. US President Trump has threatened further military action against
Pakistan voices ‘profound concern’ at UNSC over US action in Venezuela, urges dialogue NEW YORK
staff report
Pakistan on Monday expressed “profound concern” over the rapidly unfolding situation in Venezuela, warning that escalating tensions posed serious risks to regional and international peace and security.
The remarks were made during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), convened to discuss recent developments in Venezuela following a surprise US military operation on Saturday in which American special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Venezuela as well as against Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who dismisses the threat as “illegitimate”. Trump also warns Mexico it must “get its act together”. All eyes were on Venezuela’s response to the swiftly moving events, and late Sunday, interim leader Delcy Rodriguez stepped back from her initial defiance by offering to work with Trump. “We extend an invitation to the US
government to work together on an agenda for cooperation,” the former vice president said. Some 2,000 Maduro supporters, including rifle-wielding men on motorcycles, rallied Sunday in Caracas, with crowds shouting and waving Venezuelan flags. The Venezuelan military, loyal to Maduro, announced it recognised Rodriguez and urged calm. No Venezuela death toll has been announced, but Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said a “large part” of Maduro’s security team was killed “in cold blood”, as well as military personnel and civilians. Trump said late on Sunday that the United States was “in charge” of the South American nation, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that discussions of Venezuela holding elections following Maduro’s ouster were “premature.” ‘Need access to oil’ When asked what he needs from interim leader Rodriguez, Trump said, “We need total access.
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UN chief Guterres raises concerns about instability in Venezuela, legality of US operation NEW YORK reuters
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised concerns on Monday about a possible intensification of instability in Venezuela after the US capture of the Latin American
country’s president Nicolas Maduro. The 15-member Security Council met at UN headquarters in New York just hours before Maduro was due to appear in a Manhattan federal court on drug charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy. Maduro has denied any criminal involvement.
Iranian Embassy says main group calls off protests after talks, security restores order ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
The Iranian Embassy in Islamabad on Monday stated that the main group of protesters, largely consisting of shopkeepers and trade guilds, had officially ended their lawful demonstrations following government engagement and confidence-building measures. The protests, which began last Sunday in response to rising prices and economic stagnation, quickly spread to 25 of Iran’s 31 provinces, affecting at least 45 cities, mostly small and medium-sized towns in the west. The demonstrations have since incorporated broader political demands. At least 12 people, including members of the security forces, have been killed since December 30 in localized clashes, while property damage has been reported in several western towns. The Fars news agency noted that gatherings and their geographic reach had notably decreased by Sunday night compared with previous days. According to the embassy, the Iranian government promptly acknowledged the protests and initiated talks through relevant authorities, with President Masoud Pezeshkian leading the negotiations. Agreements were reached to address the concerns of shopkeepers and trade associations, which the embassy said helped stabilise the situation. The embassy accused external actors, including Israel and the United States, of attempting to exploit the unrest through cyberspace and public statements supporting protesters. It added that security forces quickly contained illegal elements and prevented escalation. Meanwhile, internet services have been restored nationwide, although minor and temporary speed reductions remain in place for security and cybersecurity reasons. Limited clusters of illegal protests in a few remote areas were reportedly dispersed promptly by law enforcement, while calm has returned to most cities.