Switzerland freezes all assets of Nicolas Maduro and promises to "return them to the people"
The Federal Council of Switzerland has decided to immediately block all assets of the former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and individuals associated with him, located in the country. This was announced two days after Maduro was apprehended by the US during a military operation launched in Caracas, writes Euronews.
Nicolas Maduro with Alexander Lukashenka at the BRICS summit in Kazan, 2024. Photo: Lukashenka's press service
Swiss authorities noted that the measure is aimed at preventing capital flight, while emphasizing that it does not concern any member of the current Venezuelan government.
The statement says that if, in the course of further legal proceedings, the illegal origin of these funds is proven, Switzerland will ensure their return to the people of Venezuela.
The asset freeze complements sanctions already imposed on Venezuela under the embargo law, which have been in effect since 2018 and also include asset freezing measures.
On Monday, Nicolas Maduro appeared before a federal court in Manhattan. He faces four charges, including "conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism" and possession of automatic weapons. Some charges also concern his wife Cilia Flores, son, and several high-ranking officials.
This is the first hearing, known as an "indictment," which begins the legal process to determine the possibility of holding the Venezuelan leader accountable in the US.
On the day of Maduro's arrest, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on the X platform that he "is not the president of Venezuela," but runs "the Los Soles cartel — a narcoterrorist organization that has seized control of the country."
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