Switzerland has ordered an immediate freeze on any assets held in the country by former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and individuals associated with him, citing the risk of asset flight following his arrest and the volatile political situation in Venezuela.
In a statement on January 5, 2026, the Swiss Federal Council said the move was intended to prevent an outflow of assets and would apply to Maduro and related persons, but not to members of Venezuela’s current government.
“On 5 January 2026, the Federal Council decided to freeze any assets held in Switzerland by Nicolás Maduro and other persons associated with him with immediate effect,” the statement said.
“The asset freeze does not affect members of the current Venezuelan government.”
The decision follows the arrest of Maduro by United States forces in Caracas on January 3, 2026, after which he was flown to the United States.
Swiss authorities said the situation in Venezuela remains unstable and could evolve rapidly.
“The situation is volatile, and several scenarios are possible in the coming days and weeks,” the Federal Council said, adding that Switzerland is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.
Bern has called for calm and adherence to international norms, urging restraint by all parties involved.
Switzerland also reiterated its long-standing diplomatic posture of neutrality and mediation.
“Switzerland has called for de-escalation, restraint and compliance with international law, including the prohibition of the use of force and the principle of respect for territorial integrity,” the statement said.
“Switzerland has also repeatedly offered its good offices to all sides in order to find a peaceful solution to the situation.”
The asset freeze was enacted under the Federal Act on the Freezing and the Restitution of Illicit Assets Held by Foreign Politically Exposed Persons (FIAA), which allows Switzerland to block assets as a precautionary measure following a fall from power.
“The Federal Council wants to ensure that any illicitly acquired assets cannot be transferred out of Switzerland in the current situation,” the statement said.
Swiss authorities stressed that the reasons behind Maduro’s removal from power, or whether it occurred lawfully, are not decisive under the FIAA framework.
“The decisive factor is that a fall from power has occurred and that it is now possible that the country of origin will initiate legal proceedings in the future with regard to illicitly acquired assets,” the Federal Council said.
The latest freeze is in addition to sanctions imposed on Venezuela under Switzerland’s Embargo Act, which have been in force since 2018 and already include asset restrictions. Officials said the new measures target individuals who were not previously sanctioned.
Should future legal proceedings determine that the frozen funds were illegally obtained, Switzerland said it would seek to return them for public benefit.
“Should these reveal that the funds were illicitly acquired, Switzerland will endeavour to ensure that they benefit the Venezuelan people,” the statement said.
The asset freeze takes effect immediately and will remain in force for four years unless lifted earlier.
