Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is due in court as he seeks to have his drug trafficking indictment thrown out over a geopolitical dispute over legal fees.
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Johns County leaders address Longleaf Pine Parkway safety after child’s deathJacksonville research group exploring new paths to lasting weight loss beyond GLP-1 drugs Read full article: Jacksonville research group exploring new paths to lasting weight loss beyond GLP-1 drugs Jacksonville City Council approved a $5 million loan for Vestcor Cos. to develop a 240-unit affordable housing community on 11 acres of vacant land at 11000 Beach Blvd.NationalFile - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks to supporters during an event at the Miraflores Presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 4, 2024. FILE - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, left, and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez attend a government-organized civic-military march in Caracas, Venezuela, Nov. 25, 2025. File - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro speaks to supporters during an event at the Miraflores Presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 4, 2024. – Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro returns to a New York courtroom Thursday as he seeks to have his drug trafficking indictment thrown outand declared: “I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the constitutional president of my country.” Flores has also pleaded not guilty. Both remain jailed at a detention center in Brooklyn, and neither has asked to be released on bail. Judge Alvin Hellerstein has yet to set a trial date, though that could happen at the hearing. Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, continue to enjoy some support in Venezuela, with murals and billboards across the capital, Caracas, demanding their return. But while Maduro's ruling party remains in power, he has slowly been erased from the government of Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's acting president. Rodríguez has replaced senior officials including Maduro’s faithful defense minister and attorney general, reorganized agencies, appointed ambassadors and eliminated tenets of the self-proclaimed socialist movement that has ruled Venezuela for more than two decades. She has even shaken up state television, which had been dominated by Maduro’s hourslong evening appearances. Rodríguez favors much shorter appearances without the musical acts to which her predecessor often danced. Venezuela has also reestablished diplomatic relations with the U.S., which in 2019 cut ties with Maduro's government and recognized the then-head of the National Assembly, a member of the opposition, as the country's legitimate leader. The U.S. has easedBut even that may not be enough to spare Maduro and Flores from having to foot their own legal bills. In a court filing last month, Maduro lawyer Barry Pollack said the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, which administers sanctions, flip-flopped on a decision to let Venezuela pay for his legal fees. The office approved the arrangement Jan. 9, he said, but then rescinded it without explanation less than three hours later. In a written declaration filed with the court, Maduro argued that he is “entitled to have the government of Venezuela pay for my legal defense.” Prosecutors responded that the U.S. government had authorized Maduro and Flores to use personal funds to pay their legal fees but would let them do so from a fund controlled by a sanctioned government. Maduro said in his declaration that he is unable to afford his defense. To qualify for a lawyer at U.S. taxpayer expense, he would have to show he is too poor to pay for it.Maduro and his wife are accused of ordering kidnappings, beatings and murders of those who owed them drug money or undermined their trafficking operation. That included the killing of a drug boss in Caracas, the indictment said. If convicted, they face life in prison.Many public sector employees earn just about $160 per month, while the average private sector worker makes about $237. Last year the annual inflation rate soared to 475%, according to Venezuela’s central bank, putting the cost of food and other essentials beyond the reach of many.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Developers break ground on affordable housing project in St. AugustineEnd the month off right with this lineup of events from March 26-29Pearl Street Square to bring apartments, restaurants, beer gardens & jobs to Downtown JacksonvilleBurden of failing roof lifted for Jacksonville veteran through volunteer projectAccused shooter in death of 2-year-old boy denied bondGardening in a new light. Some recommended updates for healthier seedlings.Powerful winds, worsening drought threaten Jacksonville areaJSO arrests 21-year-old man accused of fatally shooting 2-year-oldFormer JEA chief of staff tells City Council committee employees are ‘scared for their job’Help spread the word about AI scams targeting service membersMechanical issue causes JTA bus to catch fire on Arlington ExpresswayRoad-rage shootout leaves 1 dead, police searching for 2nd driver
Nicolas Maduro Cilia Flores Barry Pollack Alvin Hellerstein Garcia Cano
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