Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro claims immunity, urges US judge to dismiss drug charges: ‘this court lacks jurisdiction’
Nicolas Maduro, the ousted Venezuelan President, asserts sovereign immunity while facing drug trafficking charges in the US. His legal team argues that he should be immune from prosecution due to his status as a head of state and has pleaded not guilty, awaiting trial in June 2027.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has claimed sovereign immunity as he faces drug trafficking charges in a US court. The 63-year-old, who was captured in January, is currently held in a Brooklyn federal jail. His legal team filed a motion on Wednesday to dismiss the criminal charges, arguing that the US court lacks jurisdiction over him.
According to his lawyer, Barry Pollack, the prosecution violates the absolute immunity granted to heads of state for centuries. Pollack also noted that Maduro is falsely accused and vehemently denies the allegations. If the case is not dismissed, Maduro is set to go on trial in June 2027. Despite Maduro claiming to still be the president of Venezuela, several countries, including the US, do not recognize his presidency.
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