Secured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro plans to present a motion to dismiss criminal charges against him in the United States for alleged drug trafficking. ^[1] Donald Trump said at a White House dinner with Republican lawmakers in late September 2026 that the United States 'took' Venezuela and that oil extracted since the operation has already paid for its cost 'about 54 times'. ^[2] Maduro intends to argue that his status as a head of state grants him immunity, although the US government does not recognize him as the leader of Venezuela since 2019. ^[3] Six US experts in international law and criminal defense told Reuters that similar cases involving captured foreign leaders are extremely rare and generally unfavorable for the defendants. ^[4] Donald Trump said that Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores could face additional charges beyond the existing drug trafficking and weapons possession counts, and that their trial would begin next year. ^[5] Federal prosecutors have until October 2, 2026 to respond to Maduro's motion to dismiss, and judge Alvin Hellerstein scheduled a hearing for November 17, 2026. ^[6] Maduro's defense filed a motion with federal judge Alvin Hellerstein on the same day as Trump's remarks to dismiss the charges against Maduro, arguing sovereign immunity as head of state. ^[7] Maduro could argue that his case must be dismissed because his capture violates the extradition treaty between the United States and Venezuela. ^[8]