Professor Keitner Writes About Maduro Case for Just Security

Professor Chimène Keitner wrote an explainer for Just Security on the significance of Nicolás Maduro’s assertion in a U.S. federal court on Jan. 5 that “I am still the president of my country.” 

Under international law, “the sitting head of state or head of government of one country can’t be sued or prosecuted in another country’s courts,” Keitner writes, before discussing some past instances in which head-of-state immunity was not recognized or did not apply.

Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured on Jan. 3 in a U.S. military operation and brought to New York to face drug-trafficking charges.

Professor Keitner is a leading authority on international law and civil litigation, and served as the 27th Counselor on International Law in the U.S. Department of State.