Deposed Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro appeared in a Manhattan federal court on Thursday for his 'narco-terrorism' case, after being captured by US military forces in January. His wife, Cilia Flores, also appeared.
The hearing involved arguments over whether Maduro should be allowed to use Venezuelan government funds for his defence. The defence claims the US is violating his constitutional rights by blocking access to those funds.
Maduro and Flores were captured on 3 January in a pre-dawn raid on Caracas that reportedly killed 100 people. They pleaded not guilty at their arraignment on 5 January.
Outside the court, demonstrators for and against Maduro faced each other behind metal barricades. Pro-Maduro protesters called for his freedom, while opponents sang the Venezuelan national anthem.
Back in Venezuela, acting president Delcy Rodríguez has been erasing Maduro's political legacy, removing nearly half of his cabinet ministers. Rodríguez has positioned the country for economic growth, welcoming over 120 energy companies.
