Venezuelan President Maduro denies U.S. drug charges, calling them political, amid escalating tensions.

Nicolás Maduro, the president of Venezuela, claims he was apprehended and disputes drug trafficking accusations made against him in a U.S. court, where he entered a not guilty plea. Maduro is accused of orchestrating or facilitating large-scale cocaine shipments as part of a larger case involving international drug networks. Maduro denies any involvement and says the charges are politically motivated. Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have significantly increased as a result of this case, but no information regarding his current whereabouts or custody status was given.