A U.S. federal judge in Manhattan rejected Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's motion to dismiss narcoterrorism charges against him on Thursday, dealing a significant blow to the embattled leader's legal defense. Maduro, who faces charges including cocaine importation conspiracy and using military-grade weaponry in drug trafficking, argued that the case should be dismissed because U.S. sanctions prevent Venezuela from funding his legal team.
Maduro's defense, led by prominent trial lawyer Barry J. Pollack, claimed that the Trump administration is violating his right to counsel by blocking access to Venezuelan government funds. Pollack, who previously represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, argued that Maduro cannot afford to pay for his defense independently.
The law does not allow for a judge to order the U.S. government to permit funds from a foreign government for legal defense, particularly when sanctions are in place to prevent such access.
U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein dismissed the defense's arguments as 'based on hypotheticals' but agreed to revisit the funding issue at a later date. Prosecutor Kyle Wirshba argued that allowing Maduro to access Venezuelan funds would undermine U.S. sanctions aimed at preventing the plundering of Venezuela's wealth.
Maduro's case is part of a broader U.S. effort to hold the Venezuelan leader accountable for alleged crimes spanning decades. President Donald Trump indicated that additional charges against Maduro are likely. The decision marks a critical juncture in the legal proceedings, which could result in a life sentence for Maduro if convicted.