Maduro trial: his lawyers invoke his presidential immunity to have the US charges dropped

Nicolás Maduro's defense team is counterattacking in the US justice system. The lawyers for the former Venezuelan president are requesting that all charges against their client be dropped.

They argue that his status as head of state protects him from prosecution in a foreign court. In a new petition addressed to Judge Analisa Torres, who is presiding over the case, they invoke the principle of sovereign immunity.

In their view, the actions attributed to their client fall within the scope of his official duties and the exercise of his prerogatives as head of the Venezuelan state.

This position leads them to challenge the very jurisdiction of the American justice system and to demand the definitive dismissal of the accusations against him.

As a reminder, Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured during a US military operation in Venezuela on January 3, before being transferred to the United States.

Appearing before a federal court in New York two days later, the couple was indicted on charges of narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and cocaine smuggling. Both denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.

Cheick Omar Ouedraogo