Maduro Claims Immunity in US Drug Trafficking Case
Maduro’s lawyers say the indictment cannot stand because sitting heads of state are immune from foreign prosecution, and trial is set for June 1, 2027.
- On Wednesday, Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro filed motions to dismiss his U.S. drug trafficking case, challenging his prosecution on grounds of sovereign immunity and the legality of his capture.
- Seeking dismissal, Maduro argues his seizure violated the U.S.-Venezuela extradition treaty, invoking the Latin doctrine "male captus, bene detentus"—"wrongfully captured, properly detained"—to contest the proceedings.
- Legal precedents, including the 1886 U.S. Supreme Court decision and former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega's unsuccessful immunity claim, demonstrate U.S. courts consistently reject dismissal requests based on capture methods.
- District Judge Alvin Hellerstein must determine if Maduro qualifies for immunity, complicated by Washington's non-recognition of him as Venezuela's president since 2019 and current leader Delcy Rodriguez's lack of support.
- Venezuelan lawyer Nizar El Fakih noted the current government faces "difficult and politically sensitive" circumstances, while former Justice Department lawyer Gary Lincenberg warns such tactics could alienate other nations despite limited impact on prosecution.
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319 Articles
President Maduro’s Defense Requests Dismissal of US Case, Citing Head-of-State Immunity
The defense of the president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, who remains incarcerated in a New York prison following his abduction by US military forces on January 3, requested the dismissal of the criminal case against him in the United States, citing his sovereign immunity as a sitting head of state. President Maduro's lawyer, Barry Pollack,...
NEWS HEADLINES: Maduro and his wife ask judge to throw out federal drug-trafficking and narco-terrorism charges, arguing they’re ‘shielded by sovereign immunity’
Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are seen in handcuffs after landing at a Manhattan helipad as they are escorted to an armored car en route to a federal courthouse in Manhattan. (Photo via: DEA) OAN Staff Brooke Mallory5:57 PM – Thursday, September 3, 2026 Former Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have asked a U.S. federal judge to throw out federal drug-trafficking and narco-terrorism charges against them, …
His lawyer, Barry Pollack, argued that the presidents are “exempt from the criminal proceedings of any national court,” except in their own country.
The defense of the deposed leader of the Venezuelan regime, Nicolás Maduro, asked to dismiss the criminal case against him in the United States under the argument of sovereign immunity, as stated in the digital judicial file. Maduro's lawyer, Barry Pollack, handed two motions to the court: one to dismiss the entire accusation based on ... Continue reading "Nicolas Maduro tries to annul the charges against him in the United States arguing soverei…
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