NYPD breaks up pro-Maduro protesters from celebrating Venezuelans in heated clash outside courthouse

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The NYPD was forced to step in on Monday, January 5, after pro-Maduro demonstrators clashed with Venezuelans and Cubans celebrating the ousted leader's capture outside a downtown Manhattan courthouse.

Several hundred demonstrators gathered outside the court where Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were scheduled to make their first appearance before a federal judge on charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.

On one side, protesters waved signs reading 'Free President Maduro' and 'No War for Venezuela Oil.' On the other, Venezuelans and Cubans cheered what they called the collapse of an oppressive regime, hurling insults as police herded the two groups into separate pens.

Protesters defend Nicolas Maduro

Among those backing Maduro was Brooklyn-born protester Sherry Finkelman, who rejected claims that the Venezuelan leader is a dictator.

“I don’t understand how the US gets to call him a dictator when he’s been rightfully elected twice by the people of Venezuela in a very transparent election,” Finkelman said.

Her claim runs counter to international consensus. Both of Maduro’s election victories were widely denounced as illegitimate. After the 2024 race, a coalition of 50 countries (including the US) refused to recognize him as Venezuela’s lawful leader.

Progressive activist organizations have also condemned Maduro’s government. Officials with groups including Human Rights Watch have decried 'the country’s countless victims who’ve been tortured and murdered by government forces, as well as the millions who have fled largely because of a humanitarian emergency the government unleashed.'

Still, Finkelman brushed off Venezuelans celebrating Maduro’s arrest as 'propaganda.' This was despite the Democratic Biden administration having offered a $25 million reward for his capture.

Venezuelans and Cubans fire back

Venezuelans who showed up to applaud Maduro’s downfall had little patience for the pro-Maduro crowd.

“You’re an a–hole! You don’t even know where Venezuela is!” Cuban-born Dario Blanzo yelled at one demonstrator.

Maria Su, who moved to New York City from Caracas in 2017, was blunt.

“They are not Venezuelans,” she said. “They are paid protesters. They don’t speak Spanish!”

Will Contreres, 52, who immigrated from Caracas in 1996, screamed at the demonstrators, “You’re not for my country!”

“Go to Cuba!” he shouted. “Eighty percent of you guys don’t even understand what I’m saying. You don’t speak Spanish!”

Another Venezuelan man made a vulgar hand gesture and snarled, “Motherf—kers!”

Flag ripped, scuffle breaks out

Before the police fully separated the groups, a protester backing Maduro was confronted by someone demanding to know where in Venezuela he was from. The man admitted he was actually from Staten Island and claimed he was just 'standing with Venezuelans.'

That answer didn’t sit well. Members of the anti-Maduro group began ripping the Venezuelan flag he was holding, sparking a brief scuffle that was quickly shut down by police.

“How much are they paying you? You’re not really from Venezuela,” one anti-Maduro rallier shouted.

Another Venezuelan mocked the pro-Maduro crowd in Spanish. “You are not even Venezuelans. You are paid by someone else to be here!” he said. “Tell me how you like arepas!” he added, referring to the popular Venezuelan corn cakes.

Some demonstrators insisted that those supporting Maduro were on the wrong side of history.

“Today we are here happy because he’s going to face justice,” Venezuelan-American Rafael Escalante said of Maduro. “But we are also making sure that the history of Venezuela is told by Venezuelans, not by a group of paid activists that make a career out of standing up for dictators.”

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