State Department warns US citizens to leave Venezuela

During their arraignment in Manhattan federal court, Nicolas Maduro and his wife both pleaded not guilty.

“I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country," Maduro said through an interpreter when the judge asked for his plea.

His wife, Cilia Flores, responded similarly, saying, "Not guilty. Completely innocent."

While confirming his identity at the start of the hearing, Maduro declared through an interpreter, "I am the president of Venezuela."

"I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela," he added, before the judge interrupted and told him there would be time later to challenge his custody.

Neither Maduro nor Flores are seeking bail. The judge said he is open to receiving a bail application in the future but the couple will otherwise remain detained at MDC-Brooklyn.

Flores' attorney said she "sustained significant injuries" during the military operation and requested a medical briefing.

"There’s worry she may have a fracture or severe bruising on her ribs," her attorney, Mark Donnelly, said.

They are next due in court on March 17.

-ABC News' Aaron Katersky

The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, speaking to the United Nations Security Council on Monday regarding the U.S. strikes on Venezuela and capture of its president, said the U.S. is "not occupying a country."

"This was a law enforcement operation in furtherance of lawful indictments that have existed for decades," Waltz said. "The United States arrested a narco-trafficker who is now going to stand trial in the United States in accordance with the rule of law for the crimes he's committed against our people for 15 years."

Waltz also said the U.S. would not "allow the western hemisphere to be used as a base of operation for our nation's adversaries and competitors and rivals of the United States.”

The U.S. ambassador to the UN also said that President Donald Trump offered Nicolas Maduro "multiple off-ramps" and "gave diplomacy a chance."

"He tried to deescalate. Maduro refused to take them," he said. "President Trump made it clear that the narco-terrorism must stop, and yet it continued. The United States will not waver in our actions to protect Americans from the scourge of narco-terrorism and seeks peace, liberty and justice for the great people of Venezuela."

The UN Security Council meeting is ongoing.

-ABC News' Mike Pappano and Brianna Sanchez

Nicolas Maduro has retained Barry Pollack, according to a notice on the court docket posted Monday.

The notice did not say when Pollack was retained or how he might be getting paid. Maduro's finances are expected to be addressed during his initial appearance on Monday. Pollack previously represented, among others, Julian Assange.

A Texas lawyer, Mark Donnelly, is representing the wife of Nicolas Maduro, according to a notice filed Monday with the court. He applied for pro hac vice admission to represent Cilia Flores during her prosecution in New York.

The notice does not say when Donnelly was retained or how he will be paid.

Donnelly and Pollack have not returned messages from ABC News seeking comment.

-ABC News' Aaron Katersky

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday condemned what he called "unilateral hegemonic bullying" in his first public comments since the U.S. attack on Venezuela.

Speaking after a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Beijing, Xi did not mention the U.S. by name, but appeared to be referencing the weekend assault on Venezuela and the seizure of the country's President Nicolas Maduro.

"The world today is fraught with turmoil, and unilateral hegemonic bullying is severely impacting the international order," Xi said, according to remarks published by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"All countries should respect the development paths chosen independently by the people of other countries, abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, with major powers taking the lead," Xi added.

ABC News' Karson Yiu