Maduro adds a second lawyer in the U.S.: A former Reagan official joins his defense and awaits the judge's approval

Nicolás Maduro continues to strengthen his legal strategy in the United States while facing one of the most delicate judicial proceedings of his political career.

His defense team has now been joined by Bruce Fein, a lawyer with an extensive background in U.S. power and a history as an official during the Ronald Reagan administration, according to court documents cited by CNN en Español.

The inclusion of Fein, a specialist in constitutional and international law, still needs to be approved by the judge of the case in New York.

If confirmed, would join Barry J. Pollack, Maduro's lead attorney, known for having led the defense of Julian Assange in the WikiLeaks case, an experience that has already placed the Venezuelan process under international media scrutiny.

Maduro pleaded not guilty this Monday to narcoterrorism charges before a federal court in New York, in an unprecedented scene that contrasts with the image of power he projected from Caracas for years.

The arrival of a second high-profile lawyer reinforces the signal that chavismo is preparing for a prolonged legal battle, away from the political arena where it usually operates with greater ease.

Bruce Fein is not a minor figure in Washington. In addition to his time at the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission during the Reagan era, he has worked for influential conservative circles in the United States, including the Heritage Foundation, one of the main intellectual engines behind the so-called Project 2025, an ultra-conservative roadmap that shaped the recent U.S. presidential campaign.

The paradox is that Fein has also been an outspoken critic of Donald Trump and harshly questioned his acquittal following the January 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol, warning about the risks of presidential impunity.

Today, the Chavista dictator is relying precisely on key figures within the U.S. legal system to attempt to dismantle an accusation that places him, for the first time, before a court with the actual ability to convict him.