US now allows Venezuela to pay for Maduro legal team

The United States will allow Venezuela to pay for Nicolas Maduro's legal defence, a court filing showed, lifting a roadblock on the ousted leader's trial on drug and other charges in New York.

US Treasury sanctions on Venezuela had previously blocked Venezuela -- now ruled by Maduro's deputy -- from sending funds to pay for attorneys to represent the leftist strongman and his wife.



Both were snatched by US forces in an overnight raid in early Jan and flown to New York to face federal criminal charges. The Maduros' defence had sought to have their cases dismissed on grounds that blocking the funding violated the US Constitution's right to counsel of one's choice.

A court filing on Friday by the US prosecutor in New York said the Treasury's "Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued amended licenses to counsel for defendants" that authorises them to "receive payments from the Government of Venezuela." The funds must have been made available after March 5, 2026, and can't come from US-regulated oil sales.

Since removing Maduro, the US has effectively controlled the export of Venezuelan oil. The funds go into special accounts overseen by Washington. According to the Friday filing, the defence acknowledges the sanctions waiver and is lifting its motion to dismiss the charges, for now.