Federal Judge Questions U.S. Efforts to Block Funding for Nicolás Maduro's Legal Defense

Legal Defense Funding for Nicolás Maduro Narco-Terrorism Case·March 26 – March 27, 2026

20 days ago

Federal Judge Questions U.S. Efforts to Block Funding for Nicolás Maduro's Legal Defense

Former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro appeared in a Manhattan federal court to discuss his legal fees. His defense team argued that the U.S. government is blocking the money needed for his narco-terrorism case. Prosecutors told the judge that Maduro stole Venezuela's wealth and should not use it for his defense. The judge questioned why the U.S. is blocking the defense funding. The court pushed the administration to let Venezuela pay for the legal costs. Maduro is currently held in a high-security section of a jail while the case continues.

Nicolás Maduro's lawyer argues against U.S. blocking fundingJudge Questions Why U.S. Is Blocking Maduro's Defense FundingJudge pushes Trump admin to let Venezuela pay for Maduro's legal fees

Key Statements

PPOLITICO

“Judge Alvin Hellerstein urges the Treasury Department to allow the Venezuelan government to pay legal fees for Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in their federal drug trafficking case.”

Confirms the judge's intervention to allow Maduro access to government funds for his defense.

PPBS.org

“Nicolás Maduro's defense argues in a New York court to use Venezuelan government funds for his drug trafficking defense, claiming U.S. blocks violate his constitutional rights.”

Highlights the constitutional argument at the center of the funding dispute.