US prosecutors say Maduro lacks immunity in narcoterrorism case

October 4, 2026 at 04:17 AM2 min

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U.S. prosecutors said former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro does not have immunity from criminal prosecution in the United States. They opposed his attempt to dismiss the narcoterrorism case, calling him and his wife Cilia Flores "former corrupt officials of a former rogue state." Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, were captured by U.S. military personnel during a raid on January 3 and are held in a federal prison in Brooklyn awaiting trial.

Key Facts

U.S. prosecutors said Maduro does not have immunity from criminal prosecution in the United States.
Maduro's lawyers argue he has immunity as head of a sovereign state, but prosecutors called him and his wife "former corrupt officials of a former rogue state."
The U.S. cites Washington's 2019 decision to stop officially recognizing Maduro as Venezuela's head of state.
Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, were captured by U.S. military personnel during a raid on January 3 and are held in a federal prison in Brooklyn.
They are accused of conspiring to import cocaine, narco-terrorism, and crimes involving machine guns and destructive devices.

Immunity Challenge

U.S. prosecutors opposed Maduro's attempt to have the narco-terrorism case dismissed, Bloomberg reports. Maduro's lawyers insist that he has immunity as the head of a sovereign state. Prosecutors called him and his wife, Cilia Flores, "former corrupt officials of a former rogue state who are not entitled to immunity." The United States cites Washington's decision in 2019 to stop officially recognizing Maduro as Venezuela's head of state. The country's current government has also not requested that he be granted immunity.

Detention and Charges

Maduro, 63, and Flores, 69, were captured by U.S. military personnel during a raid on January 3. They are currently being held in a federal prison in Brooklyn awaiting trial. They are accused of conspiring to import cocaine, narco-terrorism, and crimes involving machine guns and destructive devices. Prosecutors also allege that Maduro cooperated with groups that the United States has designated as terrorist organizations. Maduro and Flores have pleaded not guilty and are asking for the case to be dismissed.