Venezuela’s Maduro seek immunity from US drug charges

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have requested a US judge to dismiss drug trafficking charges against them, claiming they are immune as head of state and first lady of Venezuela. The couple was detained in Caracas on January 3 and face federal drug trafficking and firearms charges. Their case is set to go before a New York court on November 7, with a trial scheduled for June 2027.

No American court has ever tried a foreign leader recognized as the sitting head of state at the time of the charges. US prosecutors allege that Maduro used state power to aid illegal drug smuggling and collaborated with cartels to transport cocaine into the US. Maduro denies the four charges, while Flores denies the three. Since his arrest, Maduro has claimed he was kidnapped and described himself as a prisoner of war.

Meanwhile, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has governed Venezuela under pressure from the US. Recently, US energy firms signed multi-billion-dollar deals with Venezuela, following the country's agreement to grant the United States control over significant oil reserves. Critics in both nations accuse President Trump of holding Venezuela hostage after removing Maduro and warn that Rodriguez could face a similar situation if she does not comply with US demands.