Venezuela: Switzerland freezes all assets connected to Nicolás Maduro

The Swiss government has said that Switzerland has frozen all “Swiss-based assets connected to Nicolás Maduro.”

In a statement, as quoted by the Guardian UK, Swiss officials said the Federal Council has decided to freeze assets held in Switzerland by Maduro and “other people connected to him” right away.

They explained that this action is meant to stop assets from being moved out.

The asset freeze does not apply to people currently working in the Venezuelan government.

The statement added, “If future legal cases show that the money was obtained illegally, Switzerland will try to make sure it helps the people of Venezuela.”

DAILY POST had reported that former Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro on Monday, pleaded not guilty to the accusations against by the United States of America.

The charges included drug trafficking, weapons possession, and involvement in narcoterrorism.

He was arrested by US military forces two days earlier in an action planned by President Donald Trump, which caused a big reaction worldwide.

He was formally arraigned in a federal court in Manhattan on Monday and the court proceedings lasted just over 30 minutes involving Maduro being asked only to confirm his name and acknowledge the four charges against him.

Maduro, who is 63 years old, told the federal judge Alvin Hellerstein that he is still the president of his country.

He claimed he was illegally taken from his home in Caracas, and called himself a prisoner of war.