Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges in a New York court on Monday, calling himself a “decent man” and “a prisoner of war” as he made his first U.S.court appearance since his capture by American forces over the weekend.

Maduro is accused of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine, among other charges. His wife, Cilia Flores, and son, Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra, have also been charged, as have other Venezuelan officials. They coudl face life sentences if convicted.

The deposed Venezuelan leader repeatedly proclaimed his innocence during the arraignment, which took place shortly after noon on Monday.”I am innocent. I am not guilty of anything that is mentioned here,” maduro said, wearing a blue prison uniform, before Judge Alvin K Hellerstein.

Flores entered her own not guilty plea after her husband. “Not guilty. Entirely innocent,” she said.

Maduro also asserted that he was unjustly detained and characterized his capture as a political act. He claimed he was a “prisoner of war” and reiterated his claim to the Venezuelan presidency.