Maduro Asks US Judge to Dismiss Drug Trafficking Charges, Citing Immunity
Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has asked a U.S. federal judge to dismiss drug trafficking charges against him, arguing that he is protected from prosecution under international law as the head of a sovereign state. Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, made the argument in a filing before U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan federal…
- Why it matters
- If granted, the motion would end the case against him in U.S. courts. If denied, the prosecution proceeds toward trial on the charges the U.S. brought in 2020.
- Most affected
- Nicolás Maduro — Faces either dismissal or continued prosecution in Manhattan federal court.
U.S. prosecutors — Must now defend the charges against a sovereign immunity defense. - Likely next
- Whether Judge Hellerstein rules on the immunity motion and when the decision comes.
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