Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro says "I am still president" as he pleads not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges in his first appearance at a New York court.
His wife, Cilia Flores, who was also seized alongside him over the weekend, has also pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and weapons charges.
Maduro tells the court in New York he remains the leader of Venezuela, according to the BBC's US partner CBS News.
"I'm innocent. I'm not guilty. I'm a decent man, the president of my country," he says via an interpreter.
Outside the court, protesters are brandishing placards - one reads "USA Hands-off Venezuela", while another says "Thank You President Trump".
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for 17 March, US media is reporting, with the judge ordering Maduro to appear again.
Maduro's lawyer says his client is not seeking to be released on bail, but he may at a later time, according to multiple US media outlets.
Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were seized from their Caracas compound on Saturday and flown to the US as part of a special forces operation.
Maduro says he is 'prisoner of war'
The arraignment of Maduro and his wife began and ended with dramatic moments today. The clang of Maduro’s leg shackles could be heard before he entered the courtroom, where he turned around and nodded and appeared to say “buenos dias” to several people in the audience.
The most tense moment came at the end of the arraignment, when a member of the public began to yell in Spanish at Maduro that he would “pay” for what he had done.
Maduro turned to him and replied in Spanish that he was a “kidnapped president” and a “prisoner of war” before he was escorted out in shackles behind his wife through the back court door.
The member of the public, who was crying, was asked to leave court.
'I was captured in my home' - Maduro
It was not the only moment during the 40-minute hearing when Maduro, wearing one blue and one bright orange shirt, professed his innocence.
The judge asked him to confirm at the beginning of the hearing that he was indeed Nicolás Maduro.
Usually, a defendant responds briefly to say who they are, but Maduro took the chance to tell the packed court that he was the president of Venezuela who had been kidnapped.
“I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela,” he said in a calm Spanish.
The judge interjected to tell him there would be a better “time and place” for him to share that.
The arraignment of Maduro and his wife began and ended with dramatic moments today. The clang of Maduro’s leg shackles could be heard before he entered the courtroom, where he turned around and nodded and appeared to say “buenos dias” to several people in the audience.
The most tense moment came at the end of the arraignment, when a member of the public began to yell in Spanish at Maduro that he would “pay” for what he had done.
Maduro turned to him and replied in Spanish that he was a “kidnapped president” and a “prisoner of war” before he was escorted out in shackles behind his wife through the back court door.
The member of the public, who was crying, was asked to leave court.
Earlier, dramatic images showed the pair being transferred to the courthouse in handcuffs, surrounded by armed officers.
At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, Secretary General António Guterres says he's "concerned rules of international law have not been respected" when it comes to the US's actions in Venezuela.
Meanwhile, Venezuela's new leader Delcy Rodríguez is due to be sworn in before the country's National Assembly.
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