Maduro and wife cite immunity to dismiss U.S. drug charges

Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have filed motions in a Manhattan federal court to dismiss drug trafficking charges, arguing they enjoy sovereign immunity as Venezuela’s head of state and first lady. The lawyers contend that a foreign head of state cannot be tried in another country’s courts, and that Flores shares immunity as the spouse of the president. They also argue that the narcoterrorism and cocaine conspiracy charges fall outside U.S. jurisdiction and relate to acts conducted in Maduro’s official capacity. The filings come amid a January 2026 fourth superseding indictment expanding the case to narco-terrorism and multiple drug-conspiracy counts. A November 17 hearing is scheduled on the motions, with a trial date set for June 1, 2027 if the indictment is not dismissed, and prosecutors have deadlines to respond. U.S. courts’ historical deference to sovereign immunity is cited by the defense as the basis for arguing the United States cannot prosecute Maduro for acts tied to his role as Venezuela’s leader.