Maduro fights US charges, citing sovereign immunity as head of state

Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro asks a Manhattan federal judge to dismiss criminal drug-trafficking charges, arguing he enjoys sovereign immunity as head of state and cannot be prosecuted abroad. His lawyer, Barry Pollack, contends the court lacks jurisdiction and that the alleged acts would have been official duties, a challenge that tests long-standing international-law immunity. Maduro, who was abducted Jan 3 after a US raid in Caracas, remains in custody with a trial slated for June 1, 2027 if the motion fails; prosecutors have until Oct. 2 to respond, and a hearing is set for Nov. 17.