An Argentine judge has formally requested the extradition of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from the United States, where he faces federal charges of narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking. The request, signed by federal judge Sebastián Ramos, accuses Maduro of crimes against humanity for his role in a violent crackdown on protesters and political opponents.
The case, filed in Buenos Aires in 2023 by human rights organisations, relies on the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows Argentina to prosecute serious crimes committed anywhere in the world. Plaintiffs include Venezuelans who suffered torture, arbitrary detention, and enforced disappearance at the hands of security forces.
Argentina’s foreign ministry must now present the request to the Trump administration, which is unlikely to comply as Maduro and his wife await trial in New York on drug trafficking charges. The US military captured Maduro last month, and he is accused of conspiring with drug cartels to smuggle thousands of tons of cocaine into the United States over 25 years.
Despite the slim chances of success, human rights groups hailed the extradition request as a milestone. The Argentine Forum for the Defense of Democracy stated: “Beyond this specific resolution, there remains the satisfaction of having stood up to the powerful, fiercely defending human rights.”
Argentina has increasingly pursued human rights cases beyond its borders, including investigations into atrocities in Spain and Myanmar. President Javier Milei, a right-wing ally of Donald Trump, has supported the US seizure of Maduro.
