Nicolás Maduro Claims U.S. Restrictions Are Blocking His Defence

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Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in handcuffs after landing at a Manhattan helipad ahead of a federal court appearance, 5 January 2026.

Nicolás Maduro, the former Venezuelan president, has returned to a U.S. court to argue that American authorities are effectively preventing him from mounting an adequate legal defence.

Maduro, who faces criminal charges in the United States including drug trafficking and narco‑terrorism, contends that restrictions on Venezuelan government funds are limiting his ability to pay his legal team. His lawyers argue that the U.S. Treasury’s refusal to release these funds amounts to an attempt to hamstring his defence.

The court filings, submitted by Maduro’s attorneys, emphasise that the Venezuelan government money in question is needed to retain his chosen counsel. They warn that without access to these resources, Maduro’s ability to mount a fair defence could be seriously compromised.

The filings come amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Caracas, and follow years of U.S. sanctions on Venezuela. Maduro’s legal team maintains that the funding restrictions not only affect his defence but also raise broader concerns about fairness in the prosecution.

Sources: AP News, and CNN


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