The United States government is blocking Venezuela from paying the legal fees of former President Nicolas Maduro as he faces drug trafficking charges in New York. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty in January and remain jailed awaiting trial. Prosecutors allege that Maduro used his position to assist drug traffickers during his 13 years in power.

Defense lawyer Barry Pollack said the Treasury Department initially granted an exception to financial sanctions to allow Venezuela to cover Maduro’s legal costs, but revoked that permission hours later without explanation. Pollack argued that Venezuelan law and custom require the government to pay the expenses of the president and first lady, and said Maduro cannot afford counsel on his own.

Maduro was captured by United States special forces in Caracas earlier this month following sustained pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration. Since his arrest, former Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has led Venezuela, while Maduro continues to claim he is the country’s legitimate president.