UPDATE: Former Attorney General William Barr has announced he is “highly confident” that deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro will be convicted and face a sentence similar to the 40-year prison term imposed on former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. This statement comes just days after Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces in a dramatic operation in Caracas.
Barr, who oversaw Maduro’s indictment in 2020, discussed the developments on “Fox News Sunday,” highlighting the legal parallels between Maduro’s case and Noriega’s notorious drug trafficking conviction. Barr stated, “The legal arguments raised against Maduro mirror those in the Noriega prosecution,” underscoring his belief in a strong case against the Venezuelan leader.
This urgent update comes as Maduro, who faces multiple federal charges including narco-terrorism and conspiracy to possess machine guns, pleaded not guilty in a New York City courthouse on Monday. During his first appearance, he declared, “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the constitutional president of my country.”
Barr emphasized the significance of this case, stating that actions by foreign leaders engaging in activities against the U.S. can be deemed a national security threat. He mentioned that the operation aimed to arrest Maduro and several of his high-ranking officials, which could shape the future of Venezuela.
Maduro is accused of orchestrating a vast cocaine-trafficking network in collaboration with international drug cartels. He faces four criminal counts stemming from these allegations, which he has consistently denied, claiming they are merely a pretext for the U.S. to seize Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
“When a group of foreigners are engaged in an activity that’s directed against the United States, that can both be an issue that subjects them to the jurisdiction of U.S. courts and a national security threat,” Barr stated.
In a swift political response, Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has been sworn in as interim president, signaling a possible strategic shift. While she expressed support for Maduro, her government has shown willingness to cooperate with the Trump administration.
As this situation develops, the implications of Maduro’s potential conviction could resonate far beyond Venezuela, impacting U.S.-Latin American relations and global drug trafficking policies. With Barr’s confidence in a conviction and the historical context of Noriega’s case, observers are watching closely to see how this will unfold.
This urgent situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as the legal proceedings progress. Stay tuned for the latest developments on this breaking story.
