Venezuela’s Maduro asserts immunity in US court, urges dismissal of charges
Summary
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has asked a US court to drop drug trafficking charges against him, claiming he has immunity as a sitting head of state. His lawyers argue that prosecuting him violates international law because his actions were part of his official role, but the US government does not recognize him as Venezuela’s legitimate president.Key Facts
- Maduro is charged with criminal drug trafficking in a US federal court in Manhattan.
- His lawyer filed a motion to dismiss the charges based on immunity for heads of state.
- The US stopped recognizing Maduro as Venezuela’s president in 2019, after disputed elections.
- President Donald Trump authorized a military raid in Caracas that led to Maduro’s arrest on January 3.
- Maduro denies the charges and plans to go on trial June 1, 2027, if the case is not dismissed.
- The legal principle of head-of-state immunity generally protects current leaders from prosecution in foreign courts.
- Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, is currently running Venezuela and cooperates with the US.
- The US and Venezuela recently agreed on an oil deal involving some of Venezuela’s reserves.
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