USA Maduro back in US court: dispute over legal fees
Ahead of a possible trial against Nicolás Maduro, a US judge has rejected the deposed Venezuelan president's demand that the case be dropped. Maduro's defense lawyers want his legal fees to be paid with Venezuelan state funds, but the public prosecutor's office opposed this, as reported by dpa reporters from the New York court. The judge has not yet made a decision. However, he ruled out dropping the case due to the dispute over legal fees.
26.03.2026, 21:20
SDA
Maduro had led his country in an authoritarian manner at the head of a socialist government for years. At the beginning of the year, he and his wife were captured by US special forces in the Venezuelan capital Caracas. Shortly afterwards, they appeared in court for an initial hearing - at which they declared themselves "not guilty" of the charges brought by the US and in return accused the United States of kidnapping them. Maduro and his wife have been held in a prison in the New York borough of Brooklyn since their arrest.
The USA has charged Maduro with "drug terrorism", among other things. He is said to have used his office to facilitate the smuggling of thousands of tons of cocaine into the USA. To this end, Maduro is said to have allied himself with drug traffickers and gained personal benefits from this.
At the second court hearing, the parties argued at length about the deposed president's defense costs. The public prosecutor's office argued, among other things, that payment from Venezuelan state funds would violate the sanctions against the South American country. The defense argues that this would not ensure a fair trial for Maduro and that the charges should be dropped.
Judge: There is no precedent
Judge Alvin Hellerstein announced that he would make a decision on the issue at a later date. A possible date for a further court hearing would also be announced at a later date. There is no precedent, Hellerstein said. "The truth is, we don't have a case like this." A potential trial has not yet begun. The two court dates so far are part of a pre-trial process.
Both 63-year-old Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores (69), who has also been charged, appeared at the hearing. However, they did not make any statements themselves, but allowed their lawyers to speak. Flores' legal team complained that the medical care in prison was inadequate. They referred to their client's heart problems.
Trump: Maduro will get a fair trial
US President Donald Trump said that he assumed that Maduro would receive a fair trial. However, he could imagine that lawsuits could follow because he has so far only been sued for "a fraction" of the things he has done, Trump added.
Supporters and opponents of the deposed president demonstrated in front of the court building. One participant in the anti-Maduro rally told the television station NTN24: "I come here to support my people, happy to see Nicolás Maduro behind bars." He accused the counter-demonstrators of not being Venezuelans and not knowing the situation in the country: "They are all Americans, no one speaks Spanish," he said.
Maduro's supporters also mobilized in Caracas. In the center of the Venezuelan capital, streets were closed due to a pro-government rally at which participants demanded the return of Maduro and his wife.
Controversial military operation
Critics regard the US military operation in Venezuela as a violation of international law. A key question is also whether the USA has violated Maduro's immunity as head of state - and whether he should not have been removed from the country and charged.
In the opinion of the US government, however, Maduro was no longer the legitimate president of the South American country. According to the Venezuelan opposition and international observers, he lost the presidential election in July 2024. The electoral office, which is loyal to the government, nevertheless declared him the winner and he was sworn in for a further term of office.
No real political upheaval in Venezuela
Following Maduro's arrest, the previous Vice President Delcy Rodríguez took over the reins of office. Although a number of political prisoners were released, the authoritarian leadership of the South American country did not initiate any fundamental political change.
Nevertheless, the USA eased sanctions against Venezuela and once again allowed oil transactions with the state-owned energy company PdVSA. US President Trump wants to use Venezuela's huge oil reserves for the benefit of the USA. This also includes control over crude oil sales.
