US Prosecutors Say Venezuelan State Funds Should Not Be Used for Maduro’s Defense

In a legal submission, prosecutors say Nicolás Maduro and his wife ​‘surely knew’ that the U.S. government did not consider him to be the legitimate president.

Nicolás Maduro (C) is escorted by federal agents after landing at a Manhattan helipad, as they make their way into an armored car en route to a federal courthouse in New York City on Jan. 5, 2026. XNY/Star Max/GC Images

Former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, who was captured by the United States military in January, should not be ‌able to use funds from Caracas to defend himself against narcotics trafficking charges, U.S. prosecutors said on March 13.

Last month, Maduro’s lawyer Barry Pollack urged U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein to dismiss the indictment on the basis that the U.S. Department of the Treasury had, without explanation, ​revoked an exemption to financial sanctions that would have allowed the Venezuelan regime to fund ⁠his defense.