The former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife requested that the United States Justice system reject the drug trafficking charges against them, claiming immunity as leader and first lady of a foreign country. The lawyers argued that the law requires a judge to dismiss the indictment, as it cannot be brought against a foreign leader.
In documents filed at the federal court in Manhattan, Maduro's defenders argued that no American court has ever presided over the criminal trial of a foreign leader recognized by their own country as head of state at the time of the charges. According to them, this reflects an ancient rule where heads of state are exempt from criminal proceedings in any national court except their own.
Maduro and his wife are set to stand trial on the drug trafficking charges next year. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein scheduled the opening statements for the case, which involves serious charges related to international drug trafficking.
