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As Maduro eyes head-of-state immunity, Trump’s Venezuela policy may weaken his case — here’s how

January 8, 2026

Trending:US sanctions billUS seizure of oil tankerICE Minneapolis shootingGreenlandJana NayaganBangladesh T20 World Cup rowAs Maduro eyes head-of-state immunity, Trump’s Venezuela policy may weaken his case — here’s howFP News Desk • January 8, 2026, 20:13:59 ISTWhatsapp Facebook TwitterNicolas Maduro has argued that he remains the President of Venezuela and is protected by the head-of-state immunity. While the Donald Trump administration is bound to challenge the argument, its evolving policy on Venezuela may weaken the case against its deposed leader. AdvertisementSubscribe Join Us+ Follow us On GoogleChoose Firstpost on GoogleCaptured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport as he is taken towards the Daniel Patrick Manhattan United States Courthouse for an initial appearance to face US federal charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking, money laundering, and others in New York City, US, on January 5, 2026. (Photo: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro has argued that he should be immune from prosecution in the United States as a head of state. Under customary international law, a serving head of state enjoys immunity from prosecution in another country’s courts — a principle long observed in the United States and globally. For instance, in 2022, a US court dismissed a case against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi after the US government confirmed he had head-of-state immunity. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADHowever, Maduro’s situation is more complex.

Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrives at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport as he is taken towards the Daniel Patrick Manhattan United States Courthouse for an initial appearance to face US federal charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking, money laundering, and others in New York City, US, on January 5, 2026. (

Credit: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

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For years, successive US administrations have maintained that he clung to power illegitimately. In 2024, the Joe Biden administration declared that Opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez had won Venezuela’s election and accused Maduro-controlled authorities of fraudulently declaring him the victor.
The Trump administration has maintained the same stance. More from World Why is Berlin’s longest blackout since WWII being linked to terrorism?
Watch: French farmers drive tractors into Paris to protest EU–Mercosur trade dealYet the Trump administration may have weakened its position by engaging with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who took over as the country’s interim leader after Maduro’s capture. Maduro makes his case for immunityIn his first court appearance on Monday, Maduro told the judge he remains the “head of a sovereign state” and is “entitled to the privileges and immunities” that come with that status.
He described his extraction from Caracas to the United States as a “military abduction”. While the Trump administration will challenge this claim, its de facto recognition of Rodriguez —formerly Maduro’s deputy— as Venezuela’s leader could complicate matters. Maduro is likely to argue that he retains legitimacy or that the administration’s recognition of Rodriguez preserves his immunity, a Department of Justice source told the New York Post. The administration will in turn argue that it has not recognised Maduro as Venezuela’s head of state for years.
It will cite sham elections and electoral fraud that it says propped Maduro’s regime.

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As Maduro eyes head-of-state immunity, Trump’s Venezuela policy may weaken his case — here’s how

This quick summary is automatically generated using AI based on reports from multiple news sources. The content has not been reviewed or verified by humans. For complete details, accuracy, and context, please refer to the original published articles.

As Maduro eyes head-of-state immunity, Trump’s Venezuela policy may weaken his case — here’s how

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