US EditionUS Judge rejects request to dismiss drug trafficking charges against Nicolás Maduro and his wife
Judge Alvin Hellerstein refused to dismiss narcotics charges against Maduro and Flores while questioning US sanctions blocking Venezuelan government funds for their defense.
- On Thursday, Senior Judge Alvin Hellerstein declined to dismiss the narcoterrorism indictment against ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, stating "I'm not going to dismiss the case" while other remedies remain available.
- Defense lawyer Barry Pollack revealed the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control approved Venezuela paying legal fees on Jan. 9 but rescinded that approval less than three hours later without explanation, as the Trump administration barred Venezuelan government funds.
- Hellerstein questioned why the prosecution's argument still holds, noting that since Maduro's January capture, the U.S. has reestablished diplomatic relations with Venezuela, eased oil sanctions, and dispatched a chargé d'affaires to Caracas. "The current paramount goal and need and constitutional right is the right to defense," he said.
- Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Wirshba argued allowing Venezuelan government funds would "undermine the sanctions," while Hellerstein expressed skepticism of the public defender alternative, noting defending Maduro would come at "great expense" and drain resources for those without legal recourse.
- The judge signaled he could revisit dismissing the case if the Trump administration arbitrarily prevents Maduro from paying for counsel, though no trial date has been set and Hellerstein has not yet specified when he will decide the fee dispute.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Judge in Maduro trial refuses to dismiss charges
Nicolás Maduro, president of Venezuela until he was captured in a U.S. raid, appeared in a New York court with his wife on Thursday. Their lawyers have argued the case should be dismissed as sanctions on Venezuela prevent the Maduros from paying legal fees.
On Thursday, a U.S. judge pressured Donald Trump's government on its basis to prevent the Venezuelan government from paying the legal fees of former President Nicolás Maduro in the drug trafficking trial that follows him in New York.
Judge weighs whether Venezuela can pay Maduro's legal costs in U.S. drug trafficking case
A U.S. judge has pressed the Trump administration about its basis for barring Venezuela’s government from paying former President Nicolás Maduro’s legal fees in his drug trafficking case. Maduro and Cilia Flores, his wife and co-defendant, were in a New…
Maduro appears in court as judge weighs whether Venezuela can pay his legal costs in trafficking case - The Boston Globe
A U.S. judge pressed the Trump administration Thursday about its basis for barring Venezuela’s government from paying former President Nicolás Maduro’s legal fees
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