Venezuela's Maduro asserts immunity, urges US judge to dismiss charges

Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro requested on Wednesday a US judge dismiss drug trafficking charges against him, arguing he is immune from prosecution as head of a sovereign nation. The charges led to the US military's Jan 3 raid on Caracas and his capture. Maduro, held in a Brooklyn jail since, is to stand trial if he fails to dismiss the case by his scheduled hearing on June 1, 2027.

The principle of heads of state immunity from prosecution abroad is a longstanding international law tenet seen as vital to diplomacy. Maduro's lawyer, Barry Pollack, argued in court that the principle applies to Maduro and that the acts he is accused of were part of his official duties. US legal experts say Maduro faces a challenging prospect, citing the rarity of US criminal cases against foreign leaders. However, there is little precedent to support Maduro's claims.