US Attorney General Charges Venezuelan President Maduro and Wife with Drug Trafficking, Faces Severe Penalties
The United States Attorney General announced that Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela, and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York, and their cases will be brought before U.S. courts.
Pamela Bandy, the US Attorney General, accused Maduro and his wife of involvement in drug trafficking and activities related to terrorism, stating that these cases will lead to the harshest penalties. She emphasized that the legal proceedings will be conducted within the framework of the American judicial system.
These statements come as Venezuelan officials have described the indictment as a “kidnapping” of their president and a blatant violation of international law. Tarek Saab, Venezuela’s Attorney General, condemned the action and called for Maduro’s immediate release.
Saab referred to the events of April 2002 and the temporary detention of Hugo Chávez, describing that period as a pivotal point in Venezuela’s political history. He urged governmental and judicial institutions in Venezuela to document any human rights violations linked to US operations.
Furthermore, Venezuela’s Attorney General appealed to the United Nations and international human rights organizations to respond to what he termed an aggressive move. Caracas officials believe Washington’s real objective is to undermine Venezuela’s sovereignty and gain control over the country’s oil resources.
Meanwhile, several countries have declared that the US action constitutes a breach of territorial sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the independence of a United Nations member state.
