FMT:
Maduro heckled and cut off in defiant US court appearance
The ousted Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty and insisted he was still president of Venezuela at a New York courtroom on Monday
Protesters, members of the press, and law enforcement are seen outside of the courthouse where Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was arraigned. (EPA Images pic)
NEW YORK: Nicolas Maduro walked into a packed New York courtroom Monday with his shoulders back, scanning the public gallery and offering a few Spanish greetings, before declaring: “I am innocent.”
The deposed Venezuelan president, wearing a dark shirt over orange prison fatigues, was defiant as he went on to say US forces had kidnapped him and called himself a prisoner of war.
“I’m a decent man. I am still president of my country,” Maduro said in the 30-minute hearing in which he pleaded not guilty to drugs and weapons charges.
Lawyers, law enforcement officers and journalists filled the wood-paneled, blue-carpeted room on the top floor of a Manhattan courthouse.
Maduro seemed to understand he had the world’s ears and eyes on him as he used the court to condemn the US military raid on him and his wife in Venezuela.
On one occasion, the judge cut him off as Maduro went well beyond a request that he simply confirm his identity for the court.
“I’m here kidnapped since January 3, Saturday. I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela,” the 63-year-old said.
“There will be time and place to get into all of this,” Judge Alvin Hellerstein replied.
One of the most dramatic moments came at the end of the hearing when Maduro had a heated exchange with a man in the public gallery who shouted that he would pay for his crimes.
“I am a prisoner of war,” Maduro responded before being led out of the court.
He spoke only in Spanish and listened to the proceedings translated through headphones. His remarks were relayed to the court through an interpreter.
Using a pen and paper, Maduro took notes throughout and rarely looked up from his desk.
Heavily-armed police
His wife Cilia Flores, wearing a similar outfit with tied up blonde hair, sat beside Maduro with one of three lawyers in between them.
Two US marshals stood behind the pair but no weapons were on display in the courtroom.
That was in stark contrast to the dramatic images that showed heavily-armed police escorting them in an armored vehicle from a Brooklyn jail to court in the morning.
Outside, scores of police officers had been patrolling since early morning and metal barriers served as a perimeter around the building.
Several dozen protesters also gathered to both celebrate and criticize Maduro’s arrest, occasionally arguing with each other as they were separated by law enforcement.
One group held Venezuelan flags and signs saying “USA hands off Venezuela” and chanted “Viva viva Maduro”.
“We say no to US intervention. It’s not in our benefit,” said Sydney Loving, 31, who traveled from Minneapolis for the demonstration.
On the other side of a barrier, people were thrilled to see Maduro in US custody.
“Today is my birthday, and this is the best gift I ever received in my whole lifetime,” said Angel Montero, 36, a Venezuelan living in the US.
“I am so happy that this is happening today. I’m happy that everybody is here supporting justice.”
The deposed Venezuelan president, wearing a dark shirt over orange prison fatigues, was defiant as he went on to say US forces had kidnapped him and called himself a prisoner of war.
“I’m a decent man. I am still president of my country,” Maduro said in the 30-minute hearing in which he pleaded not guilty to drugs and weapons charges.
Lawyers, law enforcement officers and journalists filled the wood-paneled, blue-carpeted room on the top floor of a Manhattan courthouse.
Maduro seemed to understand he had the world’s ears and eyes on him as he used the court to condemn the US military raid on him and his wife in Venezuela.
On one occasion, the judge cut him off as Maduro went well beyond a request that he simply confirm his identity for the court.
“I’m here kidnapped since January 3, Saturday. I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela,” the 63-year-old said.
“There will be time and place to get into all of this,” Judge Alvin Hellerstein replied.
One of the most dramatic moments came at the end of the hearing when Maduro had a heated exchange with a man in the public gallery who shouted that he would pay for his crimes.
“I am a prisoner of war,” Maduro responded before being led out of the court.
He spoke only in Spanish and listened to the proceedings translated through headphones. His remarks were relayed to the court through an interpreter.
Using a pen and paper, Maduro took notes throughout and rarely looked up from his desk.
Heavily-armed police
His wife Cilia Flores, wearing a similar outfit with tied up blonde hair, sat beside Maduro with one of three lawyers in between them.
Two US marshals stood behind the pair but no weapons were on display in the courtroom.
That was in stark contrast to the dramatic images that showed heavily-armed police escorting them in an armored vehicle from a Brooklyn jail to court in the morning.
Outside, scores of police officers had been patrolling since early morning and metal barriers served as a perimeter around the building.
Several dozen protesters also gathered to both celebrate and criticize Maduro’s arrest, occasionally arguing with each other as they were separated by law enforcement.
One group held Venezuelan flags and signs saying “USA hands off Venezuela” and chanted “Viva viva Maduro”.
“We say no to US intervention. It’s not in our benefit,” said Sydney Loving, 31, who traveled from Minneapolis for the demonstration.
On the other side of a barrier, people were thrilled to see Maduro in US custody.
“Today is my birthday, and this is the best gift I ever received in my whole lifetime,” said Angel Montero, 36, a Venezuelan living in the US.
“I am so happy that this is happening today. I’m happy that everybody is here supporting justice.”
***
The brazen gall and arrogance of the wankee bullyboys to kidnap and trial the President of a sovereign nation in a New York Court.
Welcome to New York.
ReplyDeletehttps://x.com/i/status/2008241459124944940
🇺🇸🇻🇪 Maduro seems in relatively good mood … his wife not
1 minute ago...from this posting
ReplyDeletehttps://x.com/i/status/2008341171773313415
Possible coup unfolding right now in Venezuela:
the politics of Venezuela r a balancing act between multiple power bases, keys of which r 3 - Maduro, Vladimir Padrino López (Minister of Defense for the National Bolivarian Armed Forces), Domingo Antonio Hernández Lárez (Commanding General of the Strategic Operational Command of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (CEOFANB) ). All of them r diehard anti yanks proponents.
DeleteThere is NO likely coup on the near term even when Maduro is been abstained from the current power base.
Russian S-Whole Putin had similarly planned to kidnap and try Ukrainian President Zelensky as well, but the Russian military failed dramatically.
ReplyDeleteWakakakaka… yr mfering proof?
DeleteLet's see if Mamdani will order NYPD to arrest Netanyahu when he comes to town.
ReplyDeleteYankee ain't signatory of the ICJ who issues the warrant.
DeleteIn the latest episode of twist and turn saga, the drama continues...
ReplyDeletehttps://t.me/WeTheMedia/134629
YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS UP: 92-Year-Old Clinton Judge Who Denied Trump’s Hush-Money Removal to Federal Court and Blocked Venezuelan Gang Deportations Now Assigned to Preside Over Maduro Case in New York
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/01/you-cant-make-this-up-92-year-old/
In the latest episode of the Deep State circus that’s turned our justice system into a bad joke, a 92-year-old federal judge appointed by none other than Bill Clinton back in the ’90s has been assigned to oversee the high-profile case against Venezuelan socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro in New York.
This is the same judge who has a track record of rulings that seem tailor-made to thwart President Trump’s agenda and protect left-wing interests.
U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, who took senior status way back in 2011, but somehow keeps popping up in major cases.
He has issued several controversial rulings adverse to Donald Trump and his administration. These rulings have spanned Trump’s time as a private citizen, his first presidency, and his current second term.
Capitalism Celebrates Trump Arresting Maduro.
ReplyDelete🚨 BREAKING: The US stock market just hit an ALL-TIME RECORD HIGH under President Trump yet again following the arrest and capture of Maduro
The Democrats panicked that this would "destabilize" everything but it's just the OPPOSITE.
The "Experts" lost AGAIN 🔥
https://x.com/ericldaugh/status/2008294408458850562?s=46
wakakaka… quick jump in to catch the fire, mfer
DeleteCapitalism Triumphs. Mamdani Sila Ambek Prehatian.
ReplyDeleteCaracas Stok Market Follows NYSE Upwards and Skywards.
BREAKING: Venezuela's Caracas Stock Exchange ends the day nearly +17% higher as markets react to the US capturing President Maduro.
See the Chart:
https://x.com/kobeissiletter/status/2008295472574681107?s=46
in normal ordinary scheme of things, the stock market of a country where the head of state being kidnapped WOULD fall like a ton of lead.
DeleteYet, Caracas Stock Exchange ends the day nearly +17% higher!
Wakakakaka… mfer, u buat tak tau ke?