1886 & 1952 – The Ker‑Frisbie doctrine, established by Supreme Court rulings, holds that a defendant’s forcible abduction does not bar U.S. prosecution, a principle prosecutors cite to justify trying foreign leaders captured abroad [3].

1989 – The U.S. Justice Department issues a legal opinion, authored by then‑Attorney General William Barr, authorizing the invasion of Panama and the arrest of Manuel Noriega, later used as a precedent for extraterritorial captures [2].

1991 – Noriega is convicted of drug‑trafficking offenses and sentenced to 40 years; a federal judge later classifies him as a prisoner of war, illustrating how post‑conviction status can affect treatment of foreign leaders in U.S. prisons [2].

Jan 4, 2026 – The Justice Department’s indictment unseals, labeling Nicolás Maduro the “de facto but illegitimate ruler” of Venezuela and charging him with narco‑terrorism, cocaine‑import conspiracy, and weapons offenses [2].

Jan 4, 2026 – Analysts note that the Noriega case “largely settles sovereign‑immunity questions,” and expect Maduro’s lawyers to invoke similar arguments about unlawful capture and head‑of‑state immunity [5].

Jan 4, 2026 – Legal scholars warn that Maduro’s prosecution could force “novel constitutional and international‑law arguments,” with experts like Steve Vladeck and Elie Honig highlighting the rarity of trying a sitting foreign leader in U.S. courts [2].

Jan 5, 2026 – Maduro is expected to appear in a New York federal courtroom, having been seized in a U.S. military operation; prosecutors emphasize the case tests the limits of sovereign immunity and the applicability of the Ker‑Frisbie doctrine [3].

Jan 6, 2026 – In Manhattan federal court, Maduro pleads not guilty to narco‑terrorism and weapons charges, tells the judge “I am still president,” and signals that his defense will argue unlawful capture and claim head‑of‑state immunity [1].

Jan 6, 2026 – Defense lawyers prepare for “classified‑information fights” and “graymail” tactics that could delay the trial for months as both sides dispute access to national‑security evidence [1].

Feb 4, 2026 – Argentine Judge Sebastián Ramos signs an urgent extradition request for Maduro, invoking universal jurisdiction over alleged crimes against humanity such as torture and enforced disappearances [4].

Feb 4, 2026 – Human‑rights groups hail the Argentine move, stating it is “for Argentina, for justice, and above all, for Venezuelan victims who dared to speak out,” marking a rare cross‑border effort to hold Maduro accountable for repression [4].

Feb 4, 2026 – Argentine President Javier Milei publicly praises the U.S. seizure of Maduro, underscoring Argentina’s emerging role in international human‑rights litigation alongside cases involving Franco‑era torture and Rohingya atrocities [4].