Joining the fray at Maduro's arraignment
In the early morning of Jan. 5, a helicopter circled above the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, while a crowd gathered outside awaiting the arrival of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were captured by the U.S. two days before in a military operation, with President Donald Trump citing a recent indictment that alleges Maduro helped “transport thousands of tons of cocaine” into the U.S.
Maduro and Flores were soon brought to Lower Manhattan for their first formal court appearance, and local grassroots group Northwest Bronx Indivisible spoke out shortly after the arraignment finished. The organization urged residents to contact their elected officials and ask them “to condemn Trump’s reckless and illegal attack on Venezuela.” It provided an online tool where users can enter their name and address, automatically sending an email to the relevant member of Congress.
Daniel Guenzburger, longtime activist and member of Indivisible, told The Press he took issue with the lack of congressional approval on U.S. action in Venezuela. He said though Maduro is an authoritarian leader, the U.S. is ignoring the rights of a sovereign nation.
“There needs to be respect for the international rules of engagement between countries,” Guenzburger said. “For Donald Trump to direct the military to go in and take over, to kidnap … it violates the kind of procedures nations have had to avoid wars.”
Rep. Ritchie Torres took to his personal X account to make a statement, saying the U.S. Constitution puts the power to declare war in Congress, and that history warns regime change can cause more instability than it prevents.
“Power cannot replace principle,” he wrote. “Nor can the ends justify the means. In a constitutional republic, the rule of law must prevail over an act of raw military might.”
Rep. Adriano Espaillat did not respond to requests for comment by press time. Other local political groups, such as Unity Democratic Club and the Ben Franklin Reform Democratic Club, told The Press they had not taken an official stance.
At the arraignment, Maduro walked into the courtroom wearing tan pants and a dark-colored shirt, with an orange shirt underneath. Flores was dressed the same, and both wore headphones to hear a translator.
Maduro’s defense attorney, Barry Pollack — who previously defended WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange — sat beside him. Maduro appeared to be scribbling on a notepad before the proceedings began.
Judge Alvin Hellerstein asked Maduro to confirm his identity, to which he calmly responded through a translator that he was the president of Venezuela and was “here kidnapped.” Hellerstein interrupted to say there would be another time to get into that.
Later, Hellerstein asked Maduro how he pleaded to the charges against him, which included narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy — both from 1999 to 2025 — possession of and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices.
“I am innocent,” Maduro responded, his hands steepled. “I am not guilty. I am a decent man.”
Flores, who faces the latter three charges, also pleaded not guilty, saying she was “completely innocent.” The defense also said at one point that Flores had sustained injuries during the capture, noting the appearance of her face — in reference to a bandage Flores wore on her forehead — and damage to her ribs.
Outside the courthouse, dozens of demonstrators clashed at Columbus Park, separated by a metal police barrier and monitored by NYPD Community Affairs officers.
On one side was a sea of Venezuelan flags and signs that read “Maduro out! Real Venezuelans here” and “Maduro, your legacy is pain, death, exile and separation. Venezuela renace!” to name a few. Some chanted, “Thank you, Trump.”
Across from them, counterdemonstrators held a large orange banner that said, “The fascist Trump regime must go now!” and signs such as “No U.S. War on Venezuela.”
Maduro’s next court date is set for March 17, and neither he nor Flores is seeking bail at this time.
