Maduro appears in NYC court as supporters rally outside

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appeared in federal court in New York City Thursday regarding who would pay his legal fees, but much of the commotion took place outside the courthouse in mostly pro-Maduro demonstrations.

The deposed president argued the U.S. should either lift a ban on the Venezuelan government paying his legal fees – a ban in place because of U.S. sanctions – or throw out the case, The Associated Press reported.

“I’m not going to dismiss the case,” responded Alvin K. Hellerstein, 92, a seasoned judge who presided over many cases involving the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Prosecutor Kyle Wirshba argued Maduro – who is charged with drug trafficking – can pay his own attorneys or use public defenders, but Hellerstein didn’t seem receptive to that idea, expressing concern the complex case “could hamper their ability to do their normal work.”

The judge didn’t indicate when he would decide on the matter and did not immediately set the date of the next hearing.

This was the second time Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores – who is also charged – appeared in court since they were extracted in a cover-of-darkness operation by the U.S. military on Jan. 3.

At his first appearance in January, Maduro maintained his innocence. “I am not guilty,” he said, declaring he should still be in office. “I am a decent man, the constitutional president of my country.” 

While many Venezuelans cheered his removal, some of his supporters gathered in both New York and Caracas on Thursday, some to pray and others to protest U.S. involvement in the nation and advocate for his release.

Many protesters held signs declaring “Free President Maduro” and his wife, and “Bring them back.”

One woman was photographed holding a superhero action figure bearing Maduro’s face. Others called for the U.S. to keep its “hands off Venezuela” and demanded U.S. troops be withdrawn from foreign nations.

“No boots on the ground, no bombs in the air. U.S. out of everywhere,” some shouted.

Some of the signs indicated affiliation with the revolutionary socialist Workers World Party.

Maduro’s United Socialist Party remains in control of Venezuela.

Socialists have run the country for nearly 30 years, during which time the nation’s gross domestic product has collapsed by an estimated 70%, causing poverty rates to spike and millions of Venezuelans to flee to other countries.