Supporters and opponents of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro clashed Monday as the embattled leader was arraigned on U.S. charges tied to narcotics trafficking and corruption.
His arrest followed a U.S. operation that removed Maduro from Venezuela and brought him to the United States—a move that has intensified debate over sovereignty, international law, and how far Washington is willing to go to enforce sanctions or to seek resources including oil.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were both dressed in navy blue prison jumpsuits during Monday's proceedings in front of Manhattan Federal Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein, where Maduro told the judge he was "kidnapped" and that he still believes himself to be the president of the Latin American nation.
U.S. maritime pressure on Venezuela has intensified, including a Coast Guard pursuit of a tanker tied to Venezuelan crude that tested how aggressively the administration is enforcing sanctions at sea.
Cheers, Anger Outside NYC Courthouse
Cheers erupted from one cluster of demonstrators outside the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, with some saying Maduro’s arrest marked long-awaited accountability for years of repression in Venezuela.
“It was a dream come true for a lot of Venezuelans,” Carmen, a Venezuelan woman who fled the country after the 2017 protests, told Military.com. She requested that her face be concealed because of safety concerns for relatives still in Venezuela.
She described persecution under the Maduro government, including denial of medical care and attributed the death of her mother to a lack of treatment.
Carmen said her experience reflects what she believes many Venezuelans endured during periods of unrest, when protesters and political opponents were detained and hospitals struggled with shortages of medicine, equipment and staff.
“When people were detained in Venezuela, they were denied medical assistance,” Carmen said. “Now, he gets medical care.”
Across police barricades, opponents of the arrest rejected that framing and accused the United States of violating international law.
“To kidnap a foreign sitting president and try him under U.S. law is unprecedented,” Josh, a New York protester opposed to Maduro’s arrest, told Military.com. Maduro should only face prosecution if he voluntarily entered U.S. territory and warned the move could set a dangerous global precedent, Josh added.
The U.S. has previously captured and prosecuted foreign leaders, most notably Manuel Noriega, who was taken into U.S. custody after the 1989 invasion of Panama and later convicted in federal court on drug trafficking charges.
Noriega, however, was a military ruler rather than an elected head of state—a distinction cited in debates over whether that case provides precedent for prosecuting a sitting president detained outside U.S. territory.
Other regional examples raised by protesters differ significantly. Manuel Zelaya, Honduras’ sitting president in 2009, was ousted by his own military during a coup but was never detained or prosecuted by U.S. authorities.
More recently, Juan Orlando Hernández was extradited to the United States on drug trafficking charges only after leaving office, following a formal request approved by Honduran courts.
Differences of Opinion
Some tempers flared among counter-protesters as chants, whistles and shouted accusations echoed through the area, forcing police to keep rival groups separated by metal barricades.
Amid the noise, Josh and and another individual named Julian stepped closer and spoke directly to one another, engaging in a lengthy face-to-face exchange. The pair debated sanctions, oil and U.S. power, weighing whether American intervention could improve life in Venezuela or deepen resentment rooted in decades of U.S. involvement in the region.
“There’s a reason people are celebrating,” Julian, a New York protester who supports Maduro’s arrest, told Military.com. He argued the case could open the door to economic recovery and political change.
“We are not entitled to their resources,” countered Josh, rejecting the idea that foreign intervention would benefit Venezuelans and warning that outside control would replace one form of repression with another.
Both later said the exchange remained verbal despite rising tempers nearby—a contrast they said underscored how rare sustained, face-to-face debate has become at politically charged protests where conversations can result in police intervention.
Clashing Visions for Venezuela’s Future
Some demonstrators insisted Maduro remains Venezuela’s democratically elected leader and dismissed the charges as politically motivated, arguing the case reflects U.S. interference rather than accountability.
“I was in Venezuela with the people,” Yasmeen, a New York protester who said she attended a pro-Maduro solidarity gathering, told Military.com. “They support their president. The United States needs to get out.”
Yasmeen said sanctions and foreign pressure have done more harm than good, blaming them for economic hardship and shortages that she said ordinary Venezuelans continue to bear.
Others argued U.S. pressure was necessary to end repression and prevent further suffering, saying political debates should not outweigh humanitarian concerns.
“Humanity has to come first,” a male New York protester with the alias "The Midnight" told Military.com. He said the focus should remain on access to food, medicine and basic services rather than sovereignty arguments.
Oil sat at the center of the divide, with demonstrators sharply split over whether foreign involvement and how sanctions could revive Venezuela’s economy or risk exploiting its resources while deepening the crisis for civilians. Signs held by protestors included messages about U.S. President Donald Trump and avoiding military warfare for oil reserves.
Trump has also publicly said U.S. forces seized an oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast as part of an effort to choke off sanctioned oil flows.
Crowd Control and Future Proceedings
NYPD officers maintained a visible presence throughout the day along Worth Street and near Columbus Park, positioning metal barricades and uniformed officers between rival groups as chants echoed through the area. Police kept demonstrators separated throughout the afternoon, and no arrests or injuries were reported outside the courthouse.
Inside the courtroom, federal prosecutors outlined the charges against Maduro while defense attorneys challenged the case and raised concerns about detention conditions and medical needs.
Maduro told the court he remained Venezuela’s president and declared he was innocent. Defense attorneys for Flores, who appeared with visible bandaging, asked the court to ensure she receives medical evaluation for injuries sustained during her capture.
As the hearing ended and court officers began escorting Maduro from the courtroom, he briefly waved toward members of the media. Moments later, a person seated in the public gallery shouted in Spanish, accusing him of wrongdoing and saying he would pay in the name of Venezuela.
Maduro turned toward the gallery and responded in Spanish, declaring that he is Venezuela’s president and insisting he is innocent. Court officers quickly moved to restore order as Maduro was led out.
Both Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty. The next scheduled court date is March 17.
Military.com reached out to the White House and the Department of Justice for comment on the protests and broader international implications.
