U.S. Foreign Policy and Latin America

Venezuela has approved a broad amnesty that could free hundreds detained for political reasons. Separately, U.S. sanctions enforcement has complicated Nicolás Maduro’s criminal defense: defense attorney Barry Pollack says OFAC initially authorized Venezuelan government payment for Maduro’s counsel but then amended the license to bar such funding, and he has asked OFAC to reinstate the original license and warned he may seek court relief, arguing the restriction impairs Maduro’s Sixth Amendment rights.