US prosecutors argue Maduro 'plundered' Venezuelan wealth in court battle over legal fees - BBC

U.S. prosecutors have argued in court that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro "plundered" his country's wealth, a claim central to an ongoing legal dispute over who should pay the legal fees in cases against him. The argument centers on whether frozen Venezuelan assets in U.S. custody—originally seized as part of criminal cases against Maduro and associates—should be used to cover defense or prosecution costs. The case reflects broader U.S. efforts to hold Maduro accountable for alleged corruption and financial crimes while managing the legal complexities of trying a sitting foreign leader. How the court rules on the fee dispute could affect both the pace of prosecutions and the disposition of billions in Venezuelan state assets currently held by the U.S. The outcome will likely influence future cases involving sanctioned foreign officials and the treatment of state assets linked to alleged kleptocracy.