As per reports, demonstrations were reported outside a federal courthouse in Lower Manhattan, New York City, on Monday (05 January), ahead of the scheduled arraignment of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

The court appearance was scheduled to begin at 1200 hours local time (1700 hours UTC), marking President Nicolás Maduro’s first formal appearance before a US judge since his arrest last week.

• Ahead of the hearing, demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse, with groups observed chanting slogans, waving Venezuelan flags, and expressing both support for President Nicolás Maduro’s detention and calls for political change in Venezuela.
• Law enforcement authorities established an expanded security perimeter, deploying barricades and increasing police presence to manage crowds and prevent disruption.
• Reports also indicate temporary road closures and traffic diversions in parts of Lower Manhattan surrounding the courthouse to facilitate security operations, affecting vehicular movement and pedestrian access in the area.
• The affected roads and areas include Centre Street, which was closed in sections near the courthouse complex; Foley Square, where access was restricted with police barricades in place; Pearl Street, which experienced intermittent closures and traffic diversions; Worth Street, where vehicular movement was restricted near the Centre Street junction; and Cardinal Hayes Place, which was closed to general traffic adjacent to Foley Square.
• As of 1215 local time (1715 hours UTC) on Monday (05 January), Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores has arrived at the Manhattan federal courthouse for their scheduled arraignment and demonstrations outside the courthouse continue at this time, with crowds remaining present but contained within designated areas.
• Security remained elevated in and around the courthouse complex, with law enforcement maintaining established perimeters and access controls.
• Traffic diversions and pedestrian restrictions remain in effect, contributing to localized congestion and delays.
• Authorities indicated that road closures and traffic diversions in Lower Manhattan were expected to remain in place until crowd dispersal and security assessments allowed for phased reopening of affected streets.