Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro arrives at Manhattan federal court for arraignment

NEW YORK — Nicolás Maduro has arrived at Manhattan federal court after several movements in a bearcat and helicopter.

Maduro will make an initial appearance at noon when he will be arraigned on a four-count indictment before Judge Alvin Hellerstein.

Maduro was seen crawling into the bearcat and he needed help hoisting himself into the helicopter.

He and his wife appeared to be wearing brown jumpsuits.

They are due to face charges of drug-trafficking conspiracy and other crimes.

The United Nations Security Council will hold a 10 a.m. emergency meeting on the capture of Maduro, called by Colombia.

The U.N. released a statement saying Guterres was “deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela” and that the U.S. action sets “a dangerous precedent.”

Protesters against “illegal kidnapping” are expected in Lower Manhattan’s Foley Square at 11:30 a.m. Monday, to coincide with the court appearance.

Venezuelan nationals are also expected to show up in support of Maduro’s capture. They rallied outside 500 Pearl Street on Saturday, as well as at other locations around the city, upon learning of Maduro’s arrest.

Hours after the military operation that plucked Maduro from power and removed him from the country, President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States would run Venezuela at least temporarily and tap its vast oil reserves to sell to other nations.

The dramatic action capped an intensive Trump administration pressure campaign on the South American nation and its autocratic leader, and months of secret planning resulting in the most assertive American action to achieve regime change since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

(Additional reporting provided by WABC-TV)