US prosecutors argue Maduro ‘plundered’ Venezuelan wealth in court battle over legal fees
US prosecutors argue Maduro ‘plundered’ Venezuelan wealth in court battle over legal fees
On Thursday, Judge Alvin Hellerstein expressed understanding toward the legal request made by former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who sought to use government funds to cover their defense costs. The couple’s attorneys contended that the U.S. should waive sanctions to allow the use of Venezuelan money for legal expenses, arguing the case against them is unjust. However, prosecutors countered by claiming Maduro had siphoned off the nation’s resources during his tenure and should not be entitled to such funds.
The 92-year-old judge emphasized that “the right to defence is paramount,” though he did not immediately dismiss the case. He indicated a decision would follow a future hearing, leaving the issue unresolved for now. The legal dispute arose after U.S. authorities seized Maduro and Flores from their Caracas residence in a midnight raid on 3 January, transporting them to New York to face charges of drug trafficking and weapon offenses they deny.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Maduro and his wife wore green prison jumpsuits and sat with several lawyers between them, listening to arguments through headphones. Their demeanor contrasted sharply with their initial appearance, where Maduro delivered a lengthy speech asserting his innocence and claiming he had been kidnapped. That session ended with a spectator shouting at the defendant from the back of the courtroom.
Under U.S. sanctions, Maduro and his wife required a special license to access Venezuelan government funds for legal fees. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) first approved the request but later reversed it. Prosecutors asserted that the couple could afford private legal representation, a claim the Maduros disputed. The judge acknowledged the complexity of the case, suggesting that public defenders might struggle to provide adequate counsel in this international trial.
“We are doing business with Venezuela,” Hellerstein remarked, noting the country’s recent diplomatic thaw under the interim leadership of Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez. The judge questioned the logic of denying funds, highlighting the shift in foreign policy since Maduro’s arrest. Despite the legal team’s push to dismiss the case, he remained undecided, repeatedly asking both sides for clarity on the requested relief.
Maduro faces charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine-importation plots, and possession of firearms and explosives. Bail has not yet been applied for, and he remains detained at Brooklyn’s federal Metropolitan Detention Center. No trial date has been scheduled. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump discussed the possibility of expanding legal actions against Maduro during a Washington cabinet meeting, assuring that the former leader would receive “a fair trial.”
Residents of Caracas expressed mixed reactions to the ongoing proceedings. Ana Patricia, a retired lawyer, stated that government control over media does not deter public interest in the case. “They can control what Venezuelan media publish, but not what is shared internationally,” she said. She admitted sympathy for Maduro, acknowledging his past success but criticizing his greed and overconfidence. “He had everything but lost it,” she reflected, “and I hope he faces a life sentence for his crimes.”
Agustina Parra, a retired nurse in western Caracas, voiced confidence that Maduro would be released soon. “Despite his flaws, he has not betrayed the people,” she argued. Her belief underscores the divided sentiments in Venezuela, where citizens monitor the trial’s outcome with anticipation.
