US Eases Sanctions to Allow Venezuela to Fund Maduro’s Legal Defence

The United States has agreed to ease certain sanctions on Venezuela, allowing the Venezuelan government to cover legal fees for former president Nicolás Maduro, who is currently on trial in New York on drug trafficking charges.

The decision follows a request by Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, who had asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that restrictions preventing Caracas from paying legal fees violated Maduro’s right to choose his own counsel.

In a court filing, the US Department of Justice confirmed it would adjust sanctions rules to permit such payments. The move effectively renders the defence’s earlier request to dismiss the case on those grounds no longer applicable.

Maduro is being tried in New York City after being taken into US custody earlier this year in a controversial operation. The case has drawn significant international attention, raising legal and political questions surrounding his status as a former head of state and the circumstances of his detention.

Critics have condemned the operation as a violation of international law, while the administration of Donald Trump has defended it as a legitimate law enforcement action, stating that Washington does not recognise Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have both pleaded not guilty and remain in custody in Brooklyn. He has rejected the charges, describing them as politically motivated.

During earlier proceedings, US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein raised concerns about whether sanctions limiting access to legal funding could infringe on constitutional rights, noting that all defendants in the United States are entitled to legal representation regardless of nationality.

The case continues to evolve as legal arguments and broader geopolitical tensions intersect, with implications for international law, diplomacy, and US-Venezuela relations.