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[INTERNATIONAL] · United States, Venezuela · 41 sources

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Nicolás Maduro seeks dismissal of U.S. drug charges on immunity grounds

Lawyers for former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have filed motions in a Manhattan federal court seeking to dismiss drug trafficking charges against them. The defense argues that both individuals are entitled to sovereign immunity, asserting that Maduro was the de facto head of state at the time of the alleged conduct and that his actions were official state functions.

Maduro and Flores face charges including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, cocaine importation, and possession of automatic weapons. The defense has also submitted an alternative motion requesting the dismissal of the specific narco-terrorism conspiracy charge, arguing the indictment lacks proper jurisdictional elements under U.S. law.

Maduro and Flores have been detained in a Brooklyn jail since their capture in Caracas during a U.S. military operation in early January. The U.S. Department of Justice has until October 2 to respond to these motions. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein has scheduled oral arguments for November 17, with the trial currently slated to begin in June 2027.

Entities

Alvin Hellerstein · Alvin K. Hellerstein · Barry Pollack · Cilia Flores · Nicolás Maduro · United States · United States Department of Justice · Venezuela

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7 days ago