- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Ousted Venezuelan Leader Nicolás Maduro Seeks Dismissal of U.S. Indictment
Maduro's lawyer argues the Trump administration is blocking Venezuelan government funds needed to pay for his legal defense.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has asked a federal judge in Manhattan to dismiss the indictment filed against him, claiming the U.S. government is preventing him from accessing Venezuelan funds needed to pay for his legal defense. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by the U.S. in January and flown to the United States to face criminal charges, including conspiracy to import cocaine and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.
Why it matters
The case highlights the ongoing political and legal tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, as well as the challenges faced by foreign leaders indicted in U.S. courts in accessing funds to mount a proper legal defense.
The details
Maduro's lawyer, Barry Pollack, filed court documents arguing that the U.S. government's actions are preventing Maduro from retaining counsel of his choice and receiving a fair defense. Prosecutors allege that Maduro and his co-conspirators have "for decades, partnered with some of the most violent and prolific drug traffickers and narco-terrorists in the world, and relied on corrupt officials throughout the region, to distribute tons of cocaine to the United States." Pollack said that without the Venezuelan funds, he would not be able to remain on the case, and any verdict against Maduro would be "constitutionally suspect."
- In January, the administration captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flew them to the United States to face criminal charges.
- On Thursday, Maduro's lawyer, Barry Pollack, filed the court documents in Manhattan federal court.
The players
Nicolás Maduro
The deposed leader of Venezuela who is facing criminal charges in the United States.
Cilia Flores
Maduro's wife, who was also captured and flown to the U.S. to face charges.
Barry Pollack
Maduro's lawyer who filed the court documents seeking to dismiss the indictment.
What they’re saying
“Mr. Maduro, as Venezuela's head of state, has both a right and an expectation to have legal fees associated with these charges funded by the government of Venezuela.”
— Barry Pollack, Maduro's lawyer (nbcnews.com)
“Not only would the Court need to appoint counsel and foist the cost of Mr. Maduro's defense on the United States taxpayers, despite the willingness and obligation of the government of Venezuela to pay Mr. Maduros defense costs, but also any verdict against Mr. Maduro would be constitutionally suspect.”
— Barry Pollack, Maduro's lawyer (nbcnews.com)
What’s next
The judge will need to rule on Maduro's request to dismiss the indictment against him.
The takeaway
This case highlights the ongoing political and legal tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, as well as the challenges faced by foreign leaders indicted in U.S. courts in accessing funds to mount a proper legal defense.
