The United States has agreed to let the Venezuelan government pay legal fees for Nicolás Maduro, ending a weeks-long legal dispute that had slowed his case.
The decision came after the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued new licenses allowing Maduro’s lawyers—and those of his wife, Cilia Flores—to be paid using Venezuelan government funds.
Previously, U.S. sanctions had blocked those payments, leading Maduro’s legal team to argue that this violated his right to a fair defense. Prosecutors, however, had insisted he should not be allowed to use state funds, accusing him of misusing national wealth.
What Changed
Under the new agreement, payments are allowed—but with strict conditions. The funds must come from money that became available after March 2026 and cannot originate from restricted government accounts.
This compromise resolves the dispute that had even led Maduro’s lawyers to seek dismissal of the case. Now, both sides have agreed to move forward, with a request to pause the trial timeline briefly so lawyers can prepare.
Bigger Picture
Maduro and his wife were captured earlier this year and brought to New York, where they face serious charges including drug trafficking. Both have pleaded not guilty.
In simple terms, the U.S. didn’t drop the case—it just allowed Maduro access to funding for his defense so the trial can proceed without legal obstacles.
Source: Newstimehub
