Tocorón Watch
Maduro and Flores withdraw motions to dismiss after amended OFAC licenses
Prosecutors and the defense told the court in a joint letter that OFAC (the U.S. Treasury office that administers sanctions) issued amended licenses to counsel for Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores. According to the letter, the licenses authorize defense counsel to receive payments from the Government of Venezuela under certain conditions, including that the funds became available after March 5, 2026. The defendants therefore withdraw their motions to dismiss.
- Court
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan) · case 1:11-cr-00205
- Judge
- Alvin K. Hellerstein · who he is
- Prosecution
- U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York (U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton)
- Defense
- Barry Pollack (Maduro) · Mark Donnelly (Cilia Flores)
- Next date
- September 30, 2026 · Defense reply on house arrest due
- Where it stands
- Maduro and Cilia Flores held at MDC Brooklyn since January 2026; both pleaded not guilty. Trial set for June 1, 2027. Hugo Carvajal pleaded guilty (June 2025) and awaits sentencing. Diosdado Cabello is charged but not in custody.
What it means
The motions to dismiss rested on issues tied to paying the defense, which the government says the amended licenses resolved. The withdrawal is "without prejudice," so the defense could refile if similar issues arise. The parties also ask to exclude time under the Speedy Trial Act so the government can produce discovery and the defense can review it.
What happens next
The parties ask the judge for a status conference in about 60 days; the letter sets no date.
In the document's own words
“The amended licenses authorize defense counsel to receive payments from the Government of Venezuela under certain conditions”
“The defendants therefore withdraw their motions as moot, without prejudice to refiling them should similar issues arise in the future.”
How the court describes it (original, English)
Our plain-language summary of a public court record, written with AI help and checked against the document. It is not a finding of guilt or legal advice. See a mistake? Tell us
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