'Trial against entire nation!' - Venezuelans rally in Caracas for Maduro and Cilia Flores ahead of New York court hearing

"Supporters of Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores gathered in Caracas' Plaza Bolivar on Wednesday ahead of the second court hearing in New York. Footage shows a rally led by Caracas Mayor Carmen Melendez and National Assembly deputy Nicolas Maduro Guerra, who described the case against his father as 'illegitimate and illegal.' Maduro and Flores appeared in a Manhattan federal court on Thursday, where a judge heard arguments over whether Venezuelan state funds held in US banks can be released to pay for their legal defence. "We are not criminals at all, we are the Venezuelan people, the Venezuelan woman, the young man, the young woman, the grandfathers, the grandmothers of Venezuela, we are decent, hardworking people, we are not criminals as they want to portray us," said Maduro Guerra. Demonstrators also said the detention of Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores by US troops was unlawful. "Since January 3, the kidnapping is illegal and we, Venezuelans, are here today in Plaza Bolivar demanding that our presidential couple be returned to us," said citizen Desire Santos. Another protester stated that the process faced by Nicolas Maduro reflects the constant struggles against colonialism. "This is a trial not only against a man, but against an entire nation. A trial against a whole country, against national integrity, against nationalism," he said. It marked Maduro's first appearance since the hearing in January, which took place shortly after the US attack on his country. He was captured alongside his wife, Cilia Flores, and flown to the United States on counts of narco-terrorism and other charges, which he strongly denies.  His vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, took over as interim leader."

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