Venezuela, Mar 24 (V7N) – Lawyers for Nicolás Maduro, the ousted president of Venezuela, are set to argue for the dismissal of drug trafficking charges during a court appearance in Manhattan on Thursday. The hearing, which comes amid a delicate shift in US-Venezuela relations, will focus on procedural issues, particularly the question of who will bear the legal fees for Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Due to US sanctions on Venezuela, which restrict financial transactions, Maduro’s attorney, Barry Pollack, has been unable to secure a license from the US government to receive payment from the Venezuelan government. Pollack argues that this lack of a license infringes on Maduro’s constitutional right to legal representation and is pushing for the case to be dismissed on these grounds.

Maduro, who ruled Venezuela autocratically from March 2013 until his ousting in a US-led operation on January 3, has pleaded not guilty to charges of drug trafficking. He is accused of collaborating with guerrilla movements, including Colombian groups considered "terrorist" by Washington, as well as with drug cartels to smuggle large quantities of cocaine to the United States.

Since his detention in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, Maduro has been kept in isolation, with limited communication to his family and lawyers. His legal team previously challenged the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) when it blocked the payment of his legal fees, claiming it violated his right to counsel.

Venezuela, now led by Delcy Rodríguez, a former vice president under Maduro, has seen warming relations with Washington. In recent weeks, the US State Department has taken steps to restore diplomatic ties with Caracas, signaling a shift from the previous administration’s stance.

The hearing is expected to be heavily guarded, with tight security measures in place around the courthouse. The case will be presided over by Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who is known for overseeing high-profile trials during his long tenure on the bench.

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