Maduro's lawyer says U.S. blocking Venezuelan government from paying ousted leader's legal fees
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- The Trump administration is blocking Venezuela's government from paying for former president Nicolás Maduro's legal defense against drug trafficking charges in New York, potentially infringing on his constitutional right to counsel, according to his attorney Barry Pollack.
- Although the U.S. Treasury Department initially authorized the payment of Maduro's legal fees, this approval was revoked within hours without explanation, while permission to pay for his wife's legal fees remained intact.
- Maduro and his wife were arrested in a U.S. military raid on January 3 and have pleaded not guilty to charges including drug trafficking and conspiracy, facing life imprisonment if convicted.
- The dispute over legal fees is tied to U.S. foreign policy, as the Trump and Biden administrations recognize Maduro's political rival
