Small dueling rallies formed outside the federal courthouse in New York City where ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was arraigned Monday. 

The small crowd of less than 50 people in Lower Manhattan included those for and against Maduro's capture by U.S. forces and his arrest on narcoterrorism charges over the weekend. 

William Camacaro, who came to the U.S. from Caracas in 1992, said he believes the operation was a kidnapping and that President Trump is trying to steal from what is the largest oil reserves on the planet.

"This is a looting that's taking place right now," Camacaro said. "All the natural resources of Venezuela belongs to the Venezuelan people."

Nicole Guillen, who came to the U.S. from Venezuela three years ago, said she believes Mr. Trump's intentions are good. She said Maduro took away her university's independence and that she's now trying to help support her family back home. 

"I'm feeling very, very happy. Very, very excited. We waited for this for 26 years," she said. "I want to go back. This is my dream, back with my family." 

Maduro was transferred from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn to the federal courthouse in Manhattan by helicopter and an armored car shortly before 7:30 a.m.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, both appeared in front of the judge and pleaded not guilty. 

Protesters barricade sidewalk outside jail where Maduro, wife are held

On Sunday, protesters called for Maduro's immediate release and denounced President Trump's military actions during a rally outside the Metropolitan Detention Center. 

The demonstrators barricaded a portion of the sidewalk across from the jail where Maduro and Flores have been held since their arrival in New York on Saturday night. 

"As people of the United States, we have to oppose this action because what's stopping Trump from doing this to other countries?" said Zoe Alexandra of ANSWER Coalition, an anti-war and anti-racism protest group formed after 9/11.

Venezuelan flags were on display throughout the weekend in New York City in celebration of Maduro's capture. Some called it a light at the end of the tunnel, but others took offense.

"Celebrating a shame, celebrating a crime. How can somebody be celebrating a crime? The kidnapping of a president?" said Lucy Pagoada of Queens.

Others celebrate Maduro's capture

New Yorkers who spoke out against the protest said they believe if Maduro was not captured, it would be years before Venezuelans see any sort of change. 

Esteban Chacin, who fled the South American nation nine years ago, and other Venezuelans said the life they left was unsustainable under Maduro's authoritarian rule and that the strikes and his capture were necessary.

"And not just because of the U.S. or the sanctions. The government that was there has been corrupt enough to earn their own blame or fault," Chacin said.

After Mr. Trump announced temporary U.S. control over Venezuela, its natives are eagerly watching and waiting.