Citizens gathered outside the Manhattan Court holding signs in support of the Venezuelan leader.

On Thursday, the second hearing in the U.S. judicial case against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, concluded without a ruling on the dispute regarding the payment of their legal fees.

Court Proceedings and Atmosphere

The hearing took place at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Outside the courthouse, hundreds of citizens gathered to support the Venezuelan president with signs and chants. Journalists faced difficulties entering the court due to the large number of media outlets covering the event.

Key Developments Inside the Court

The trial began at 11:40 a.m. local time after Maduro and Flores entered accompanied by their lawyers.

Prensa Latina journalist Deisy Francis, who was able to access a designated room for the press, reported that the attorneys took extensive notes, particularly on the issue of the defendants’ inability to pay legal fees.

Judge Alvin Hellerstein stated he would not dismiss the case due to the inability to pay. However, he noted he could analyze the issue if he determines the U.S. government is acting in bad faith by withholding funds. The judge did not set a date for the next hearing.

Issue of Frozen Funds

Hellerstein addressed the freezing of Venezuelan funds by the U.S. government, a measure that prevents the Bolivarian leader from financing his defense.

In February, lawyers for Flores and Maduro had requested the case be dismissed after the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) denied the couple a license to pay for their defense with Venezuelan government funds.

Nevertheless, Hellerstein declined to dismiss the case, stating that would be “too serious a measure.”

Background on the Case

The first hearing was held on January 5. During his initial statements, Maduro declared himself a “prisoner of war,” categorically rejected the charges, and reaffirmed his status as the legitimate head of state.

He described his detention as a military action violating his presidential immunity and Venezuela’s sovereignty, reiterating that he is not a criminal defendant but a head of state kidnapped in the context of an international conflict.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: teleSUR – PL – EFE

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