On January 5, 2026, Switzerland’s Federal Council announced the immediate freezing of any assets held in the country by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and individuals associated with him. The move aims to prevent the transfer of funds amid the recent arrest of Maduro by U.S. forces in Caracas on January 3 and his subsequent transfer to the United States.
The asset freeze, enacted under Switzerland’s Federal Act on the Freezing and the Restitution of Illicit Assets Held by Foreign Politically Exposed Persons (FIAA), does not affect members of Venezuela’s current government. It is a precautionary measure to ensure that any potentially illicit funds cannot leave Switzerland while the situation remains volatile.
Switzerland emphasized that the freeze is separate from existing sanctions under the Embargo Act of 2018, and it targets individuals not previously sanctioned. The Federal Council stated that whether Maduro’s removal from power was lawful or not is not decisive; the freeze is triggered by the possibility that legal proceedings may later establish that the assets were illicitly acquired.
Should future mutual legal assistance or judicial proceedings confirm the funds were illegally obtained, Switzerland has pledged to ensure that the assets benefit the Venezuelan people. The freeze is effective immediately and will remain in force for four years unless extended or revoked.
The Federal Council also called for restraint and compliance with international law, including respect for territorial integrity, and reiterated Switzerland’s willingness to mediate a peaceful resolution in Venezuela.
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