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Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, made a second appearance at a federal court in New York. The hearing focused on the complex issue of covering legal expenses associated with their ongoing case.

Court Proceedings

During the approximately one-hour hearing, Judge Alvin Hellerstein indicated that the case would not be dismissed due to Maduro and Flores' inability to pay court costs without assistance from the Venezuelan government. Maduro, dressed in a grey prison uniform and wearing glasses, took notes and communicated with his lawyer through an interpreter. He appeared to smile upon entering the courtroom but remained silent during the proceedings.

The core of the dispute revolves around who will bear the financial responsibility for the legal fees. U.S. sanctions prevent the Venezuelan government from making these payments, while Maduro and Flores claim their personal funds are insufficient.

The judge rejected a request from Maduro's lawyer to dismiss the case, stating, "I will not dismiss the case," though no formal ruling was made. The date for the next court session was not immediately set.

Protests Outside the Court

Prior to the hearing, a crowd of Maduro's supporters and opponents gathered outside the Manhattan courthouse. Some protesters arrived with inflatable dolls, including one dressed in an orange prison uniform and handcuffed. A scuffle briefly broke out among the demonstrators, requiring police intervention and the removal of one individual.

Meanwhile, in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, hundreds participated in rallies during the court session. Maduro's son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, was among the attendees. He expressed confidence in the U.S. legal system to AFP but noted that his father's "kidnapping" undermined the case's legality.

The 63-year-old Maduro has been detained for nearly three months at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, a facility reportedly known for its poor sanitary conditions. He is said to be held in solitary confinement, without access to the internet or newspapers.

The former Venezuelan leader has declared himself a "prisoner of war" and has not admitted to the charges against him.