President Donald Trump has called for more legal action against former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, describing him as a serious threat while commenting on the ongoing case against him in a New York court.
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Thursday, Trump said he expects further charges could be filed, even as Maduro and his wife face accusations linked to narco-terrorism and weapons offences.
Trump told the meeting that Maduro is a “very dangerous man who has killed a lot of people”, and went on to accuse him of sending criminals into the United States.
He claimed Maduro “emptied his prisons into our country", adding that he “hopes that charge will be brought at some point, because that’s a big charge that hasn’t been brought yet”. He also said he believes there could be more legal proceedings ahead, noting he imagines there are "other trials coming" for Maduro.
Maduro appeared in court alongside his wife, Cilia Flores, where both are facing charges. His defence is being led by attorney Barry Pollack, while Flores is represented by Texas-based lawyer Mark Donnelly.
During the proceedings, Judge Alvin Hellerstein declined a request by attorney Bruce Fein to join Maduro’s legal team, ruling that Maduro had not personally appointed him.
Pollack is known for handling high-profile cases, including representing Julian Assange, the co-founder of WikiLeaks who faced espionage charges in the United States. He played a key role in negotiating a deal with federal prosecutors that allowed Assange to avoid serving prison time in the US after pleading guilty to publishing military documents, following a lengthy extradition battle in Britain.
According to his law firm profile, Pollack studied law at Georgetown University and focuses on cases involving public corruption and white-collar investigations. He previously worked as a tax accountant and has also represented individuals who were wrongly accused, helping them secure compensation.
In February, Pollack brought in attorney Timothy P O’Toole to advise on the case. O’Toole specialises in US sanctions, an area closely linked to Maduro’s situation as both he and Venezuela have faced restrictions from the United States for years.
Outside the courtroom, reactions among Venezuelans abroad have remained strong. In Doral, a Miami suburb where a large share of residents are of Venezuelan origin, crowds gathered at El Arepazo, a popular restaurant and meeting place for the community.
By midday, hundreds had assembled, playing music, chanting, and waving flags as drivers sounded their horns along nearby roads. Many expressed relief that Maduro was no longer in power, blaming him for the country’s economic and political struggles.
"I don't even know how to put it into words," one Venezuelan said.
"We suffered under them [Maduro]. It was humiliating. That's why so many of us left. The economic situation was bad, there was insecurity. We just wanted a better life.”
At the same time, some voiced concern that parts of Maduro’s leadership network could still remain influential in Venezuela’s governance. Those fears appear to persist, especially as Trump has indicated a willingness to work with Delcy Rodríguez, the former vice president who is now acting president.
Some members of the Venezuelan community said the developments were a step forward, even if not a complete break from the past.
“That’s what exactly what we wanted,” one young woman said. “But it’s a start.”