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US Authorizes Venezuela Minerals Trade as Maduro Fights NY Charges

The US Treasury Department has issued general licenses authorizing certain activities involving Venezuelan-origin minerals, stating the move aims to bring the Venezuelan economy back. Concurrently, former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is in a New York courtroom seeking to have his drug trafficking indictment dismissed. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty and remain detained, with his lawyer arguing the US is blocking access to funds for his defense. While Maduro's party remains in control, reports indicate he has been sidelined within the government led by acting President Delcy Rodriguez.

Key Points: US Issues Venezuela Minerals Licenses; Maduro in Court

  • US Treasury issues licenses for Venezuelan minerals
  • Action aims to revive Venezuelan economy
  • Former President Maduro in NY court on drug charges
  • Maduro pleads not guilty, seeks indictment dismissal
  • Case involves his wife and frozen legal funds
2 min read

US Treasury Dept issues licenses authorizing activities involving Venezuelan-origin minerals

US Treasury authorizes activities with Venezuelan minerals to boost economy. Former President Maduro appears in NY court on drug charges.

"bring the Venezuelan economy back online and reorient investment to benefit Americans and Venezuelans - US Treasury Office"

Washington DC, March 28

US Department of Treasury on Saturday announced that its office of Foreign Assets Control issued general licenses authorizing certain activities involving Venezuelan-origin minerals.

The move, it said, was aimed at bringing the Venezuelan economy back.

In a post on X, the US Treasury Office said, "Under US President Donald Trump's leadership, over the past two months Treasury has been working at lightspeed to bring the Venezuelan economy back online and reorient investment to benefit Americans and Venezuelans. Continuing that work, today the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control issued general licenses authorizing certain activities involving Venezuelan-origin minerals."

Meanwhile, Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is set to return to a New York courtroom as he seeks to have his drug trafficking indictment dismissed, as per Al Jazeera.

Thursday marks the first time that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, will be in court since a January arraignment at which he protested his abduction by United States military forces and pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.

Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, remain jailed at a detention centre in Brooklyn. Neither has requested bail. Judge Alvin Hellerstein has yet to set a trial date, though that could potentially be announced at the hearing, Al Jazeera reported.

Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013, was abducted in Caracas by US special forces on January 3.

His lawyer contends that Washington is violating the deposed leader's constitutional rights by blocking Venezuelan government funds from being used to pay his legal costs, Al Jazeera reported.

The former president and Flores continue to enjoy some support in Venezuela, with murals and billboards across the capital, Caracas, demanding their return, as per Al Jazeera.

However, while Maduro's ruling party remains in control, he himself has been gradually sidelined within the government led by acting President Delcy Rodriguez.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The US military abducting a sitting president from another country? That's a very serious act, no matter the charges. It sets a dangerous precedent in international relations. As Indians, we should be wary of any nation that believes it can enforce its laws globally by force. 🇮🇳
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Rohit P
"Working at lightspeed to bring the Venezuelan economy back online" – but only after securing licenses for their minerals first. The pattern is clear: economic sanctions cripple a nation, then deals are made for resources on favorable terms. Hope our policymakers are taking notes.
S
Sarah B
From an Indian perspective, this highlights the importance of strategic autonomy. Venezuela has vast oil and mineral wealth, yet look at its situation. It's a lesson for us to develop our own resources and industries, and not become dependent on any single foreign power for trade or security.
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Vikram M
The article mentions Maduro still has support with murals in Caracas. It shows the complex reality on the ground, which often gets lost in Western media narratives. Regime change operations rarely consider the will of the local people. We've seen this story before in many places.
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Karthik V
While I have no sympathy for alleged drug traffickers, the process matters. Blocking a defendant's access to funds for legal defense seems against the principles of a fair trial. Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done, even for unpopular figures.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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