Protests erupt as Venezuelan President appears in New York court

Rival protesters gathered outside a federal court in New York on Thursday as former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro returned to court over drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges.

The deposed Venezuelan leader appeared in a Manhattan federal court following his capture by United States military forces earlier this year and subsequent extradition to the United States to face trial.

Supporters of Maduro gathered outside the courthouse carrying banners with inscriptions such as “Free President Maduro Flores,” describing the January 3 operation in which he was taken to the United States as a violation of international law.

One of the pro-Maduro protesters, Jill Clark-Golub of the Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition, said the United States acted illegally by capturing the former leader.

“I came because the US is on an attack against all the peoples of the Americas. It was totally illegal what they did. This operation on January 3 was a violation of the laws of the United States and every form of international law,” she said.

However, anti-Maduro protesters also gathered at the court, insisting the former President should face prosecution over alleged drug trafficking and corruption linked to his administration.

An anti-Maduro protester, Nelly Saucedo, accused Maduro and members of his government of involvement in drug trafficking operations.

Maduro is seeking the dismissal of his drug trafficking indictment following his capture in a US military raid in January, an operation that followed months of pressure by Washington on his government.

The court hearing opened with arguments between defence lawyers and prosecutors over whether Maduro should be allowed to use Venezuelan government funds to pay for his legal defence. His lawyers argued that the United States was violating his constitutional rights by blocking access to government funds for legal costs.

US special forces captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3 in a controversial pre-dawn raid in Caracas, after which they were flown to New York to face federal charges including narcoterrorism and cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

Charging documents allege that Maduro led a corrupt government that used state power to protect and promote illegal activities, including drug trafficking.

His capture followed months of US pressure against his government, including military operations targeting alleged drug trafficking routes, actions that have sparked international debate over legality and possible violations of international law.

Maduro has pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains in federal custody in New York pending the outcome of the trial.