Maduro and his wife claim immunity from prosecution
Summary
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have asked a U.S. court to dismiss criminal charges against them, saying they cannot be prosecuted while serving as heads of state. Their lawyer argued that international law protects sitting leaders from being tried in foreign courts for actions taken while in office.Key Facts
- Maduro and Flores were arrested in the U.S. on narcoterrorism charges linked to drug trafficking.
- U.S. prosecutors accuse them of working with drug cartels to send cocaine into the United States.
- Maduro and Flores claim they have immunity because they are recognized leaders of Venezuela.
- Their lawyer said international and common law protect heads of state from criminal prosecution in other countries.
- A federal judge ruled that Maduro and Flores will stand trial starting June 1, 2027.
- Maduro’s defense faced challenges because the Treasury Department blocked Venezuelan government funds from paying his lawyers.
- Maduro and Flores were taken from their Caracas bunker in January and formally charged in the U.S.
- Maduro is serving his third term as Venezuelan president as of January 2025.
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