Key Facts

• Nicolas Maduro is the leader of Venezuela and is facing drug trafficking charges in the U.S.
• Maduro's legal team is asking a U.S. judge to dismiss the charges because they say the U.S. blocked funds for his legal defense.
• The U.S. reportedly blocked the Venezuelan government from paying Maduro’s and his wife’s legal fees.
• Maduro and his wife have been jailed in New York since January after being taken from Venezuela by U.S. forces.
• They both deny the accusations of helping drug traffickers.
• A U.S. department initially allowed payment for Maduro's legal fees but then revoked the permission.
• The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control had allowed the legal fees to be paid but this was reversed by the U.S. administration.
• The US Attorney’s office has not commented on the matter.