Venezuela Crisis: Chained and surrounded by guards, Maduro taken to US court

New York: Venezuela's deposed dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, arrived at a New York courthouse on Monday where they are expected to face charges of smuggling drugs to the US.

On Monday, Maduro and Flores were taken from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to the courthouse. The duo were transported via a combination of motorcade and helicopter. Both of them were seen wearing tan outfits and were escorted by a squad of heavily armed Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents.
As legal proceedings moved forward in New York, developments reverberated beyond the courtroom.

What will happen in the New York court?

According to media reports, Maduro's court-appointed attorney for Monday's initial hearing will be David Wikstrom. Maduro's court appearance follows his capture during a military strike on Saturday. He was captured by US forces during a military on Venezuela’s capital Caracas on Saturday and is currently in American custody. He has been detained at anti-narcotics facility in New York on charges of smuggling drugs to the US.

What is happening in Venezuela?

Meanwhile, Venezuela's foreign ministry paid tribute to 32 Cuban citizens killed in the US attack on Caracas over the weekend.  Delcy Rodriguez took charge late Sunday as Venezuela's acting president. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning, saying she must give the United States "total access" or face consequences "probably worse than Maduro."
"We need total access. We need access to the oil and to other things in their country that allow us to rebuild their country," Trump told the media.
Trump also repeated remarks he made earlier to The Atlantic, warning that Rodriguez would face a fate worse than that of former President Nicolas Maduro if she does not "do the right thing." He did not explain what actions he expects from her.

What did Maduro’s son say?

Three after his father was abducted by the US military in a sensational attack on Caracas, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, the son of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has issued an emotional statement.

In an audio message which has been posted on social media platforms, Guerra can be heard warning those responsible for his father’s abduction. Guerra said that Venezuela has been betrayed by some people. He said that the future will expose these faces and deliver justice.
"History will tell who the traitors were, history will reveal it. We will see," Guerra said.

"We are fine, we are calm. You will see us in the streets, alongside these people. They want to see us weak; we are going to raise the banners of dignity. Does it hurt us? Of course it hurts us, of course it makes us angry, but they won't be able to, damn it! I swear to you on my life, on my mother, on Cilia: they won't be able to," he added.
Guerra also demanded that the US return his father. Maduro's son said that he has also called on supporters to participate in public demonstrations so that they can rally around the country’s leadership and strengthen unity.
Guerra termed the US action an external invasion. He said that "political and military coordination" is needed in response to this "external invasion." Maduro Guerra is a lawmaker from La Guaira state and a member of Venezuela's ruling United Socialist Party (PSUV).