US Modifies Venezuela Sanctions for Maduro

The United States has agreed to modify its sanctions on Venezuela, allowing the Venezuelan government to pay the legal fees for Nicolás Maduro's defense in a drug trafficking case. Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores were captured by United States special forces on January 3 and brought to New York to face narcoterrorism conspiracy charges. Nicolás Maduro's lawyer, Barry Pollack, had requested the dismissal of the case, arguing that United States sanctions preventing payment violated Nicolás Maduro's constitutional rights. United States District Judge Alvin Hellerstein expressed skepticism about the government's justification for blocking payments, emphasizing the right to counsel. This decision prevents the derailment of the trial and reflects a relaxation of sanctions on Venezuela since Nicolás Maduro's ouster and improved relations with the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez.