Argentina Requests Extradition of Maduro from the US on Crimes Against Humanity Charges

Argentina’s federal judiciary has formally requested that the United States extradite former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to Buenos Aires to face prosecution for alleged crimes against humanity, adding a new international dimension to his current legal battles while in U.S. custody.

By Robert Kim – Staff Correspondent

Last Updated: Feb. 2, 2026

Judicial Request Filed in Buenos Aires

An Argentine federal judge on Wednesday formally requested the extradition of Nicolás Maduro from the United States, where he is currently detained facing separate federal charges. The warrant, signed by Judge Sebastián Ramos in Buenos Aires, seeks Maduro’s transfer under Argentina’s 1997 extradition treaty with the United States so he can be questioned and potentially tried for crimes against humanity committed during his presidency. These alleged abuses include torture, arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance of Venezuelan citizens at the hands of state security forces. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Case Based on Universal Jurisdiction Principles

The legal basis for Argentina’s request rests on the doctrine of universal jurisdiction, a principle in international law that allows countries to prosecute certain grave offenses — including genocide, torture and crimes against humanity — regardless of where they were committed. Human rights organizations representing Venezuelan victims originally filed the case in Buenos Aires in 2023, asserting that Maduro oversaw systemic repression of political opponents and civilians. Argentina is among only a handful of nations whose statutes permit such extraterritorial actions. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

U.S. Legal Context and Diplomatic Complexities

While Argentina’s request now must be formally transmitted through its foreign ministry to the U.S. government, compliance remains highly uncertain. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are incarcerated in a Brooklyn jail awaiting trial on U.S. federal charges, including narco‑terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. Because of these ongoing prosecutions, U.S. authorities are unlikely to accede to Argentina’s extradition request, at least in the immediate term. Any potential transfer would require complex legal and diplomatic negotiations between both governments. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Human Rights Advocates Applaud the Move

Supporters of the extradition request, including the Argentine Forum for the Defense of Democracy and other human rights groups, have hailed the judicial filing as a landmark step toward accountability for victims of the Venezuelan regime. They argue that the request underscores Argentina’s long‑standing commitment to prosecuting international human rights violations and signals to other authoritarian leaders that they can be held to account beyond their borders. Critics note, however, that legal and political hurdles will make actual extradition difficult. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Broader International and Regional Reactions

The extradition request comes against a backdrop of shifting regional dynamics following Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces in early January. Argentina’s current president, Javier Milei — a vocal supporter of U.S. actions in Venezuela — has publicly endorsed measures aimed at holding Maduro accountable. Other regional actors have expressed varied views, with some emphasizing respect for international law and due process while others decry external intervention. The unfolding legal processes in both Buenos Aires and Washington could have lasting implications for U.S.–Latin America relations and international human rights jurisprudence. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}