"Yesterday marked their first appearance in a federal court in New York. Before sitting down in court, Maduro made eye contact with reporters and wished them a "Happy New Year," NPR's Jasmine Garsd, who was in the courtroom, tells Up First. Flores walked in behind him and appeared to have a swollen eye and a bandaged forehead, which her lawyers explained came from her getting hurt during her capture."
"Outside the courthouse were heated exchanges between two groups of protesters: those who were against America's intervention in Venezuela and Venezuelans celebrating Maduro's capture. A man named Izzy McCabe says the capture is a ploy to take oil and foreign resources from Venezuela. Another protester, Maria Seu, said many countries have been living off Venezuela's resources for years. President Trump is set to meet with House Republicans at the Kennedy Center today."
"The meeting comes a day after top administration officials briefed Capitol Hill leaders on Maduro's capture, leaving a largely partisan divide on the operation. Lawmakers questioned Trump's decision not to inform Congress before carrying out the weekend seizure. Democrats say the action, which the White House is calling a law enforcement operation, is an act of war. Meanwhile, Republicans have largely aligned with the president's stance on the situation."
U.S. military forces seized ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, over the weekend. They pleaded not guilty to federal charges, including narco-terrorism, during their first appearance in a New York federal court. Maduro made eye contact with reporters and said "Happy New Year." Flores showed a swollen eye and bandaged forehead, which lawyers attributed to injuries sustained during capture. Outside the courthouse, clashes occurred between opponents of U.S. intervention and Venezuelans celebrating the seizure. Protesters accused the operation of aiming to seize Venezuela's resources. Lawmakers and parties remain divided over congressional notification and the U.S. role.
Read at www.npr.org
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