US blocks Venezuelan government from paying Maduro’s legal fees

A lawyer for Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has accused the United States of preventing the government of Venezuela from covering his legal fees as he faces federal criminal charges.

Maduro, who was seized from Venezuela by U.S. forces last month, is represented by attorney Barry J. Pollack, The New York Times reports. 

In a letter made public on February 25, Pollack said that because both Maduro and the Venezuelan government are subject to U.S. Treasury sanctions, a special license is required for him to represent Maduro and be paid by the Venezuelan government.

Pollack said a license was initially granted on January 9, but just three hours later, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control amended it so that it “would not authorize the payment of defense costs by the Venezuelan government.” As a result, Pollack said, Maduro cannot afford his services.

“The government of Venezuela has an obligation to pay Mr. Maduro’s fees,” Pollack wrote. “Mr. Maduro has a legitimate expectation that the government of Venezuela would do so.”

The lawyer argued that the Treasury Department’s actions were “interfering with Mr. Maduro’s ability to retain counsel” and undermining his Sixth Amendment right to the attorney of his choice.

By Sabina Mammadli