Here’s the latest I can share based on recent reporting:
- The US moved to modify sanctions to permit Venezuela to cover Nicolás Maduro’s defense costs in a New York drug-trafficking case. This change was reported around April 24–25, 2026, and is described as relaxing restrictions that had previously blocked payment of his legal fees. This development followed ongoing legal debates about Maduro’s right to counsel of his choice.[3][4]
- Various outlets in late February 2026 also reported that Maduro’s lawyers argued the sanctions blocked Venezuela's ability to pay for his defense, potentially infringing Maduro’s constitutional rights; U.S. officials had indicated efforts to adjust the sanction regime in response to that argument.[2][5][6]
- Coverage emphasized that Maduro and his wife were detained in New York on narcoterrorism-related charges after a high-profile operation, and that the question at stake was whether sanctions prevented the government from funding his defense.[5][3]
If you’d like, I can pull direct excerpts from these articles or summarize the timeline in a concise table. I can also look for official court filings or government statements for precise language. Please tell me which format you prefer.
Citations:
- Al Jazeera reporting on US sanction changes allowing Venezuela to cover Maduro’s lawyer fees.[1]
- The Independent’s coverage on Maduro’s defense funding and US sanctions context.[2]
- NDTV and other outlets reporting the sanction modification in late April 2026.[3]
Sources
The lawyer for deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro says the United States is blocking funding for the cost of defending himself against drug trafficking charges. Attorney Barry Pollack told a Manhattan federal judge late last week in an email that the Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control had blocked the authorization of legal fees the government of Venezuela is required to pay for Maduro under its law and custom. Pollack says the move potentially interferes with Maduro's...
www.kob.comDefence lawyers had asked for case to be thrown out, claiming Maduro's rights were violated following US abduction.
www.aljazeera.comThe U.S. is blocking the Venezuelan government from paying for Nicolas Maduro's legal representation in the drug trafficking case he faces in New York, the deposed Venezuelan president's defence lawyer said on Wednesday.
www.myjoyonline.comThe lawyer for deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro says the United States is blocking funding for the cost of defending himself against drug trafficking charges
www.independent.co.ukNicolás Maduro's lawyer accuses the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of preventing the Venezuelan government from paying the legal fees of the ousted president, which could impact his constitutional right to choose an attorney in the federal court case he faces in the United States.
www.heraldousa.comUS officials barred them from using Venezuelan funds to pay for their defense, arguing it would undermine sanctions against the country.
www.moneycontrol.comThe lawyer for deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro says the United States is blocking funding for the cost of defending himself against drug trafficking charges. Attorney Barry Pollack told a Manhattan federal judge late last week in an email that the Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control had blocked the authorization of legal fees the government of Venezuela is required to pay for Maduro under its law and custom. Pollack says the move potentially interferes with Maduro's...
www.ajc.comThe lawyer for Nicolas Maduro says the U.S. is blocking Venezuela's government from paying for the cost of his legal defense against drug trafficking charges.
www.cbsnews.comMaduro's lawyer had earlier asked a US District judge to dismiss the case because US sanctions were preventing Venezuela from paying his legal fees.
www.ndtv.com