US greenlights Maduro using Venezuelan assets for attorney payments
Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (photo: Getty Images)
The US government has allowed former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife to use frozen assets to pay for legal services. The decision will unblock court proceedings in a drug trafficking case, the Voice of Emirates reports.
Decision details, court position
The outlet reports that the US administration has amended the licenses issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Maduro and Cilia Flores are now allowed to fund their legal defense in a New York court, despite ongoing economic sanctions against the Venezuelan regime.
Previously, the case had effectively stalled, as the defense argued that the ban on accessing funds violated the right to a fair trial.
Federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein also questioned Washington's position, pointing to the selective nature of the financial embargo.
Court proceedings resume
US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton officially informed the court that the financing issue had been resolved. Following this, Maduro and his wife agreed to withdraw their motion to dismiss the case.
A new phase of legal proceedings is expected to begin soon in Manhattan. Observers say that access to resources for a strong defense could influence both the duration and the outcome of the drug trafficking case.
Maduro's arrest, Trump's stance
Earlier, on January 3, 2026, US President Donald Trump confirmed a successful operation against Venezuela, during which Nicolás Maduro and his wife were detained and taken out of the country.
Trump later ruled out any possibility of a pardon, stressing that the ousted leader must face justice on drug trafficking charges.
In late February, Maduro's defense team demanded that the case be closed and all charges dropped. The main argument was that sanctions and frozen accounts prevented the accused from paying for legal services, which allegedly violated his right to a defense.
