1886 / 1952 – The Ker‑Frisbie doctrine, originating from 1886 and reaffirmed in 1952 decisions, holds that a forcible abduction does not bar U.S. prosecution of a foreign national, a principle prosecutors cite in the Maduro case[3].

1989 – The U.S. Justice Department issues a legal opinion, authored by then‑Attorney General Bill Barr, justifying the invasion of Panama and the capture of Manuel Noriega, a precedent later referenced by Maduro’s defense team[3].

1991 – Manuel Noriega is convicted of drug‑trafficking offenses and later classified as a prisoner of war, illustrating how U.S. courts have handled former foreign leaders after capture[2].

2017 – Noriega dies after serving sentences in multiple jurisdictions, underscoring the long‑term consequences of U.S. prosecutions of deposed foreign officials[3].

Jan 3, 2026 – U.S. forces seize Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores in Venezuela and transport them to New York, where they are detained without bail pending trial[4].

Jan 4, 2026 – The Justice Department unseals an indictment that labels Maduro the “de facto but illegitimate ruler” of Venezuela and accuses him and co‑defendants of facilitating shipments of thousands of tons of cocaine into the United States[2].

Jan 4, 2026 – Legal analysts draw a parallel to the Noriega case, noting that immunity arguments and questions of unlawful capture will likely dominate Maduro’s defense, just as they did in the 1990s trial[2][6].

Jan 5, 2026 – Scholars point out that no Supreme Court precedent directly addresses prosecuting a sitting foreign head of state, suggesting the issue could rise to the highest court if appealed[3].

Jan 6, 2026 – Maduro makes his first Manhattan federal court appearance, pleads not guilty, and tells the judge “I am still president,” while his lawyers prepare to invoke unlawful‑capture and head‑of‑state immunity defenses[1].

Jan 9, 2026 – The Office of Foreign Assets Control briefly authorizes Venezuela to pay Maduro’s legal fees, then rescinds the license within three hours, leaving the defense without government‑funded counsel[4].

Feb 4, 2026 – Argentine Judge Sebastián Ramos signs an extradition request for Maduro under universal jurisdiction, accusing him of crimes against humanity; human‑rights groups hail the move “for Argentina, for justice, and above all, for Venezuelan victims” and President Javier Milei publicly praises the U.S. seizure[5].

Feb 11, 2026 – Defense attorney Barry Pollack petitions OFAC to restore the fee‑payment license, invoking the Sixth Amendment and warning that “Maduro cannot afford counsel”[4].

Feb 26, 2026 – The Treasury Department formally revokes the authorization allowing Venezuela to cover Maduro’s defense costs, a decision that fuels diplomatic tension and pressures acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez to negotiate oil concessions and prisoner releases[4].