# Nicolás Maduro drug charges etc; What if found not guilty? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 5, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371 "2026-01-05T16:50:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/41 "2026-01-05T22:36:52Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > The government clearly wants a conviction here, and SDNY is less likely to deliver a conviction than many other courts. S Though would it be as simple as changing venue as the charges were brought in SDNY originally? Or would they need to drop those charges and file new ones in Florida or wherever? ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/42 "2026-01-05T22:39:10Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > not like they could convince him to give up his right to trial by jury, right? If they successfully moved it to a district with a large number of Venezuelan and Cuban exiles it might well be in his interests. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/43 "2026-01-05T23:02:54Z")
Can someone, preferably a Trumper, point out to me the difference between Maduro and Juan Orlando Hernández when it comes to the “full wrath” of U.S. justice? l’ll wait. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/44 "2026-01-05T23:07:13Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > While I don’t agree with the way Maduro was captured, the charges are very real and well documented. Trump will bumble it all up though, since charges are not really the point. Have you seen the gun charges? I’m curious what law would possibly be enforceable here. Do they honestly purport to say Maduro violated US gun laws in Venezuela? ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/45 "2026-01-05T23:20:17Z")
Not really. Thats going to be an enhancement charge to beef up sentencing for the drug trafficking. I don’t care much if that gets tossed or not. I’ll add that type of charging is not atypical. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/46 "2026-01-05T23:27:25Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Have you seen the gun charges? I’m curious what law would possibly be enforceable here. Do they honestly purport to say Maduro violated US gun laws in Venezuela? Once again, Republicans show themselves to be in favor of gun control. Funny how that only ever seems to come up when it’s brown people with the guns. ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/47 "2026-01-05T23:42:52Z")
My above post are my thoughts, but I should have answered your question. Maduro is charged with a drug trafficking conspiracy. If he possessed/used a weapon in the commission of that crime, it would enhance his sentence. It’s commonly done. They are not claiming Maduro violated gun laws by merely owning guns. It’s the use of those guns in a crime that is criminal. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2026, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/48 "2026-01-05T23:48:52Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > he possessed/used a weapon in the commission of that crime, it would enhance his sentence. It’s commonly done. But surely he personally didn’t use a weapon in commission of the crime? It’s not like he personally rode shotgun on a boat full of fentanyl into Miami carrying an AK-47? ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/49 "2026-01-06T00:23:38Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > boat full of fentanyl I heard commentary that fentanyl trafficking is not part of the charges, only cocaine. Has anyone else heard similarly? One would almost think that Dear Leader is bullshitting when he talks about all the fentanyl on the boats he blowed up real good. But Trump wouldn’t bullshit us, would he? ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/50 "2026-01-06T00:25:29Z")
If I can expand on the not guilty concept a bit, I think there’s maybe a 1 in 4 chance that the Justice Department, at Trump’s order, drops charges against Nicolás Maduro. Possible Trump justifications: – President Rodriguez asked me for two favors. One was the stop calling her president, and the other was the let Nicolas go. I gave her one. – They arrested a big-time drug dealer just last week. – Chevron gave Exxon a million dollar consulting subcontract, and Delcy was fine with that. – President Rodriguez isn’t always on my side, but I like her because she’s tough. When the corrupt media says her side lost, she doesn’t stand for it. So she deserved a treat. ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/51 "2026-01-06T00:37:32Z")
He’s a nut, so I’m not sure what he did. Regardless, in a conspiracy, acts of conspirators are shared. So if Mudoro had a part in making sure gunboats were armed with machine guns, this crime sticks. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/52 "2026-01-06T00:50:22Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > This is going to be a big part of this case. Generally, it is well settled, that a foreign head of state has immunity to arrest for US crimes. That should apply to Maduro. That’s not my point. If Masuro is still President of Venezuela under _Venezuelan law_ then presumably if/when he leaves the US (by whatever means) then he can just resume office. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/53 "2026-01-06T00:53:20Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > he leaves the US (by whatever means) then he can just resume office Yeah if that happens while Trump is in office there is zero chance of him being allowed to return home IMO. He will be deemed an “enemy combatant” and detained by US or some reason will be found to send him to a third country so he can be prosecuted or otherwise detained there. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/54 "2026-01-06T01:38:42Z")
[**Here**](https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1422326/dl) is the Superseding Indictment, a 25-page PDF. It contains 67 instances of the word “cocaine” and exactly zero instances of the word “fentanyl.” ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/55 "2026-01-06T02:18:07Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > If he is acquitted, is there any possibility of pushing this up to a higher instance, the Supreme Court even? Acquittals are not appealable. Period. They could file new charges and try him on those. In fact, if I were prosecuting him, I might withhold some charges to be used just in case. Conviction is not automatic. There is this silly rule that you have to provide actualy evidence to get a conviction. Disliking his stolen election or his destruction of the Venezuelan economy are not proofs that he was a drug lord. You’ve got to provide evidence that he was a participant in the drug trade and that might not be so easy. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/56 "2026-01-06T02:44:40Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > If I can expand on the not guilty concept a bit, I think there’s maybe a 1 in 4 chance that the Justice Department, at Trump’s order, drops charges against Nicolás Maduro. > > Possible Trump justifications: I may have mentioned this upthread, but one might be “I want to thank Mr Maduro for coming clean about his role helping rig the 2020 election and for signing statements implicating himself and numerous prominent Democrats. Folks, the man has done a tremendous service helping make our country great again, perhaps like no-one has ever seen, there’s no more point putting him through our rigged and weaponized Biden DOJ. Let’s really make the Democrats mad and send Maduro back where he belongs, what do you say? We’re gonna do it.” ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/57 "2026-01-06T03:27:05Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > Can someone, preferably a Trumper, point out to me the difference between Maduro and Juan Orlando Hernández when it comes to the “full wrath” of U.S. justice? l’ll wait. (IANATrumper.) Still holding your breath on this? I’ve seen or heard several commentators raising this question, pointing out the rather-obvious parallels. Glenn Kirschner and Adam Klasfeld have a video out, in which they speculate that Maduro may try for a “ **selective** and vindictive prosecution” defense. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/58 "2026-01-06T03:47:55Z")
> [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](#): > > Judge Alvin Hellerstein of the SDNY is overseeing Maduro’s arraignment and will likely preside over the case. And, in the same video mentioned just above, Kirschner mentions several times that this judge has a track record of “holding the administration’s feet to the fire". ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/59 "2026-01-06T05:40:16Z")
> [@2\_More\_Bits](#): > > In theory he (and his wife) could be found not guilty, correct? What would happen then? If Maduro is found not guilty or if the charges are tossed and he is released I give you one word for what will happen next - defenestration. This has been one of Putin’s favorite methods of ridding himself of troublesome people so Donnie would be likely to copy it. If tossing him out the window is deemed too obvious I would expect he “accidentally” falls down an elevator shaft. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2026, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371/60 "2026-01-06T09:25:20Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > This has been one of Putin’s favorite methods of ridding himself of troublesome people so Donnie would be likely to copy it. If tossing him out the window is deemed too obvious I would expect he “accidentally” falls down an elevator shaft. The signature move here would be to put him on a “deportation flight” and let Bukele do whatever. Or maybe the flight never actually lands, maybe they just drop him in the Caribbean, Argentinian-style. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicolas-maduro-drug-charges-etc-what-if-found-not-guilty/1026371.md?page=4)