A small contingent of mostly white cause bandwagoners briefly showed up in alleged support of deposed Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro ahead of his Manhattan court appearance Thursday morning — but vanished without a trace before the hearing even began.
Law enforcement sources said many of the pro-Maduro protesters were familiar faces who make frequent cameos around the city to champion any leftist-oriented protests they can find.
Two pens were set up close by outside the courthouse dividing those in favor of justice for the fallen strongman and those seeking his release. The sides traded insults but never came to blows.
The pro-Maduro crowd waved signs calling to “Free President Nicolás Maduro & Cilia Flores!” and touting “Long Live the Bolivarian Revolution!” while chanting “Free Maduro,” “Free Palestine” and “Free Iran,” photos show.
Another banner showed Maduro and Flores sharing an embrace above big block letters reading “Bring them back.”
Based on their signs and T-shirts, representatives were from a grab-bag of far-left groups like Freedom Road Socialist Organization, the Struggle for Socialism Party, the Workers World Party and the Peoples Power Assembly.
Some held aloft a banner featuring Hugo Chavez — Venezuela’s previous authoritarian dictator who died in 2013 and hand-picked Maduro to be his successor — giving a salute in a military uniform.
Many of those in the anti-Maduro group were Venezuelan born, some with family back in their native country who were breathing easier knowing Maduro’s thuggish regime had come to an end.
Erick Silva, a consultant from Venezuela who has lived in Manhattan for 12 years, organized the demonstration as part of Venezuelans in New York. He said the media deceptively creates the impression that the sides have equal skin in the game.
“The media started covering people that don’t speak Spanish, that don’t have any clue where Venezuela is, neither do they have relatives that suffer back home,” he told The Post.
“I have family that continues to suffer under a repressive regime because you guys [the US] took only Alibaba but you left the 40 thieves that are still in power.”
Maduro and Flores are facing a range of federal charges including cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons offenses in connection with an alleged narco-terrorism scheme. They will remain in custody until their trial and could face life sentences.
