Judge weighs whether Venezuela can pay Maduro's legal costs in US drug trafficking case

Key Points:

• A U.S. judge questioned the Trump administration's justification for blocking Venezuelan government funds from paying former President Nicolás Maduro's legal fees in his New York drug trafficking case, noting improved U.S.-Venezuela relations since Maduro's capture.
• Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, both in jail and facing charges including drug trafficking and violent crimes, argued that blocking these funds violates their constitutional right to defense; the judge has not yet ruled on the matter or set a trial date.
• Outside the Manhattan courthouse, supporters and opponents of Maduro held noisy rallies, while in Caracas, government supporters prayed for his freedom and condemned the U.S. operation that led to his arrest.
• Maduro's influence in Venezuela is waning as acting president Delcy Rodríguez has replaced his loyal officials and restructured the government, though Maduro still retains some popular support evidenced by murals and billboards.
• The U.S. government maintains sanctions against Venezuela that prevent Maduro from using state funds for his defense, arguing that allowing such payments would undermine sanctions imposed due to alleged government abuses; Maduro's lawyers contend that without these funds, he cannot afford adequate legal representation.