Deposed Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro appeared in a Manhattan federal court on Thursday for his 'narco-terrorism' case, following his capture by US military forces in January. His wife, Cilia Flores, also appeared in court. Both pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on 5 January.
The hearing opened with 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 such funds. Maduro and Flores were captured on 3 January in a pre-dawn raid on Caracas that reportedly killed 100 people.
Charging papers allege that Maduro led a 'corrupt, illegitimate government' that leveraged power to protect drug trafficking. The capture followed months of US pressure, including strikes on 'narco-boats' that resulted in over 100 deaths. Some legal experts have questioned the legality of these attacks, suggesting they could amount to war crimes.
Outside the court, demonstrators for and against Maduro faced each other behind metal barricades. Pro-Maduro banners read 'Free President Maduro & Cilia Flores' and 'Struggle for Socialism'. Opponents sang the Venezuelan national anthem. In Caracas, a small crowd gathered to pray for Maduro and condemn the violation of Venezuela's sovereignty.
Experts say conditions in the New York detention centre are dire. Meanwhile, acting president Delcy Rodríguez has removed nearly half of Maduro's cabinet ministers. Addressing a business summit in Miami, she claimed Venezuela was poised for economic takeoff, making no mention of Maduro.
