Legal Battle: U.S. Prosecutors Challenge Maduro's Use of Venezuelan Funds for Defense
The U.S. prosecutors have argued that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro should not be allowed to use Venezuelan government funds for his defense against U.S. drug trafficking charges. Maduro's lawyer had requested the dismissal of the indictment, citing a revocation of an exemption to U.S. financial sanctions that had allowed the government to fund his defense. Prosecutors stated that the initial exemption was an administrative error and that Maduro and his wife could still use personal funds for their defense.
Maduro's lawyer argued that Venezuelan law and custom dictate that the government should pay the expenses of the president and his wife. However, prosecutors emphasized that the U.S. government does not consider Maduro and his wife to hold legitimate positions, as one of the purposes of the sanctions is to drive them from power. Maduro and his wife have pleaded not guilty and are currently jailed in Brooklyn pending trial.
The legal fees dispute will be considered by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein during a court hearing on March 26 in Manhattan. The U.S. accuses Maduro of rigging his re-election votes in 2018 and 2024, which he denies. Maduro's former Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has been running Venezuela since his capture, and the U.S. recognizes her as Venezuela's sole head of state.
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