Maduro, wife seek dismissal of drug trafficking indictment on immunity grounds

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores filed a motion in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday to dismiss the drug trafficking indictment against them. They argued that they are entitled to sovereign immunity as the head of state and first lady of Venezuela, as foreign leaders are exempt from the criminal process of any national court but their own.

The lawyers for Maduro and Flores cited the longstanding rule that heads of state are not subject to the criminal process of any national court other than their own. The case was first filed six years ago against numerous alleged co-conspirators, and both Maduro and Flores have pleaded not guilty. If the case proceeds to trial, it could result in potential life prison sentences for the couple.