Nicolas Maduro was apprehended by heavily armed Federal agents and escorted in handcuffs to a New York court following his capture by US forces. The former Venezuelan leader defiantly proclaimed himself as the “president of my country” during his court appearance where he pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges. Meanwhile, in Venezuela, interim President Delcy Rodriguez assumed office amidst the ongoing political turmoil sparked by the actions of the United States.
Maduro’s court appearance marked his first since being taken from his residence and transported to the US. The event was met with heightened security measures and widespread protests both locally and globally. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the need for Venezuela to swiftly transition to democracy, denouncing Maduro as an illegitimate leader.
On the international front, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper engaged with US counterpart Marco Rubio regarding the importance of upholding international law following President Trump’s involvement in Venezuela. Cooper stressed the necessity of preventing further instability, criminal activities, repression, and violence in Venezuela to protect the interests of the Venezuelan people and global allies.
Demonstrators gathered outside Downing Street to demand the release of Maduro, chanting slogans in support of the ousted Venezuelan president. The protest featured speeches from prominent figures like Jeremy Corbyn and Richard Burgon, with some individuals in the crowd symbolically defacing a US flag.
The sequence of events culminated in Maduro’s court appearance in Manhattan, where protesters expressed solidarity with the former Venezuelan president. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody from their residence in Caracas, with Maduro entering a plea of not guilty to the drug trafficking charges. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez assumed the role of Acting President in Venezuela as the extraordinary political developments continued to unfold.