Maduro's US Trial Echoes Noriega: 1989 Panama Case Haunts Venezuela's Leader

• Nicolás Maduro's upcoming US trial for drug trafficking draws parallels to Manuel Noriega's 1989 case, offering a potential blueprint for defense and prosecution.
• Both leaders faced drug trafficking accusations, were captured in military operations in their home countries, and their cases sparked legal and geopolitical objections to US jurisdiction.
• Maduro's defense is expected to challenge US jurisdiction based on international law, due process, and claims of head-of-state immunity, mirroring Noriega's initial strategy.
• Manuel Noriega was ultimately convicted, as US courts largely disregarded arguments about the legality of his capture, establishing a precedent that how a defendant arrives doesn't negate jurisdiction.
• A key difference for Maduro is his disputed head-of-state immunity; unlike Manuel Noriega, the US labels him "de facto but illegitimate ruler," complicating the legal argument.

Why It Matters: Maduro's US trial mirrors Noriega's 1989 case, testing legal precedents on jurisdiction and head-of-state immunity.