Maduro’s Lawyer Requests Dismissal of Drug Case

Barry Pollack, an American attorney currently representing President Nicolas Maduro, approached a federal judge on Thursday, urging for the dismissal of a drug trafficking case against the ousted socialist leader. Pollack argued that the Trump administration is “preventing” the Venezuelan government from covering Maduro’s legal expenses.

Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, are detained at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center following their arrest by U.S. forces during an operation in Caracas back in January. Maduro has maintained his innocence, pleading “not guilty” to the allegations.

Pollack, who previously represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, has also been involved with cases concerning Maduro and Flores. On Wednesday, he addressed New York District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, claiming the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is “blocking” the Venezuelan government from paying for Maduro’s legal defense. “According to Venezuelan law and custom, the government is responsible for the legal expenses of the president and first lady,” he explained to the judge.

The following day, Pollack reportedly sent another letter to Judge Hellerstein, requesting the dismissal of Maduro’s drug trafficking charges, asserting that the Trump administration is infringing on Maduro’s Sixth Amendment rights and due process by obstructing his defense through financial barriers.

“As Venezuela’s head of state, Mr. Maduro expects that the costs linked to these charges will be borne by the Venezuelan government,” Pollack stated, as noted in a piece by the Washington Post.

The recent request from Pollack included a declaration from Maduro, indicating that he understands “he has the right to make the Venezuelan government cover my legal defense.” According to the left-leaning media outlet Telesur, Maduro expressed that Pollack is his “lawyer of choice” and conveyed his hopes for Pollack’s continued representation.

Pollack has indicated his intention to resign should the court not dismiss the charges, allowing for another attorney to be appointed for Maduro’s defense if needed.

“If the court appoints a lawyer, it would shift the financial burden of Mr. Maduro’s defense onto U.S. taxpayers, and any decision against him would raise constitutional concerns,” Pollack highlighted in his letter.

As of now, Venezuela’s socialist government, led by “Acting President” Delcy Rodriguez, has not issued any public statements on the matter.

Pollack emphasized in his letter that while Venezuela is obligated to finance Maduro’s defense, the U.S. government is preventing lawyers from receiving legitimate funds from the Venezuelan government, all while still allowing numerous business dealings with Venezuela to proceed.