India, Jan. 5 -- Toppled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court on Monday to charges of narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracy. The plea follows his dramatic capture by U.S. forces in Caracas on Saturday, an operation that has sparked global debate over its legality and upended Venezuelan politics.

Maduro, 63, pleaded not guilty to four criminal counts: narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons charges related to machine guns and destructive devices. His wife, Cilia Flores, who appeared with him, is also named in an updated indictment.

Prosecutors allege Maduro oversaw a vast cocaine-trafficking network since 2000, partnering with groups like Mexico's ...