A U.S. federal judge raised concerns on Thursday about whether sanctions preventing Venezuela from funding the legal defense of Nicolás Maduro could violate his constitutional rights, though he did not dismiss the drug-trafficking charges against the former leader.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in a Manhattan courtroom wearing prison uniforms following their capture and transfer to New York City earlier this year.
The couple have pleaded not guilty to charges including narcoterrorism conspiracy and remain in custody in Brooklyn awaiting trial. Their legal team argues that U.S. sanctions blocking Venezuelan state funds prevent them from hiring counsel of their choice, infringing upon their Sixth Amendment rights. Prosecutors, however, contend the sanctions serve legitimate national security interests.
U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein expressed skepticism toward the government’s position, noting that Maduro no longer poses a national security threat and emphasising the importance of the right to legal representation.
The case follows a dramatic U.S. special forces raid in Caracas that resulted in Maduro’s arrest. Adding to the tension, Donald Trump indicated that further charges may be forthcoming. The prosecution relies in part on a rarely tested narcoterrorism statute, which has seen limited success in past trials.
Maduro has dismissed the charges as politically motivated, claiming they mask U.S. ambitions over Venezuela’s oil resources. Meanwhile, shifting leadership in Caracas has led to a slight thaw in U.S.-Venezuela relations.
A federal judge in New York released a handwritten document described as a suicide note purportedly written by late financier and convicted se...
Trump said the U.S. and Iran were making progress in peace talks, though direct negotiations remain premature. Meanwhile, Israel, reportedly, ...
Argentinian authorities are reconstructing the journeys of Dutch citizens who presented with symptoms of deadly hantavirus after visiting Arge...
Russia has restricted some mobile internet services ahead of Victory Day on Saturday (9 May), citing security concerns. The annual celebrations, ma...
Ted Turner, the CNN founder who pioneered the 24-hour news cycle, has died aged 87, ...
A federal judge in New York released a handwritten document described as a suicide note purportedly written by late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, nearly seven years after his death in a Manhattan jail cell. The document was released late Wednesday (6 May).
Trump said the U.S. and Iran were making progress in peace talks, though direct negotiations remain premature. Meanwhile, Israel, reportedly, struck senior Hezbollah and Hamas figures and tensions over Hormuz and Tehran’s nuclear programme continue.
Russia has restricted some mobile internet services ahead of Victory Day on Saturday (9 May), citing security concerns. The annual celebrations, marking victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War, have been scaled back amid fears of attacks from Ukraine.
Ted Turner, the CNN founder who pioneered the 24-hour news cycle, has died aged 87, the network reported on Wednesday (6 May), citing a Turner Enterprises press release. He died surrounded by family.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran wanted to negotiate and make a deal in comments to reporters on Wednesday (6 May). But earlier, he warned Washington would ramp up attacks if no agreement was reached.
Argentinian authorities are reconstructing the journeys of Dutch citizens who presented with symptoms of deadly hantavirus after visiting Argentina and Chile as part of a luxury cruise trip, the country's Health Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday (6 May)
The United Arab Emirate said it was dealing with missile and drone attacks from Iran for the second day in a row on Tuesday (5 May), despite denials from authorities in Tehran who threatened a "crushing response" if the UAE retaliated.
The steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art were transformed once again into the world's most prestigious runway for the 2026 Met Gala. This year’s theme, 'Costume Art,' invited guests to explore the intersection of nature, history, and the surreal under the official dress code 'Fashion Is Art'.
The 61st Venice Biennale has opened under grey skies and political tension, with disputes over Russia and Israel, resignations on the jury, and protests marking the start of one of the art world’s most high-profile events.
A federal judge in New York released a handwritten document described as a suicide note purportedly written by late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, nearly seven years after his death in a Manhattan jail cell. The document was released late Wednesday (6 May).
Russia has restricted some mobile internet services ahead of Victory Day on Saturday (9 May), citing security concerns. The annual celebrations, marking victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War, have been scaled back amid fears of attacks from Ukraine.
Ted Turner, the CNN founder who pioneered the 24-hour news cycle, has died aged 87, the network reported on Wednesday (6 May), citing a Turner Enterprises press release. He died surrounded by family.
The Secretary-General of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), Meysam Afshar, said the organisation has documented alleged violations of international humanitarian law during the U.S.–Israel war on Iran and shared the findings with international bodies.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Beijing on Wednesday, their first in-person talks since the U.S.-Israel war on Iran began, focusing on the fragile ceasefire and security in the Strait of Hormuz.
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