Nicolás Maduro and Wife Face New US Charges Over Alleged Torture

Former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are facing new criminal charges in the United States over allegations that they conspired to torture political opponents and American citizens held in Venezuela.

The new charge of conspiracy to commit torture was added to the couple's existing federal case in New York on Thursday.

Both Maduro and Flores deny the allegations.

New allegations added to existing case

US prosecutors filed a superseding indictment accusing Maduro and Flores of participating in a system of repression that allegedly used arbitrary detention, violence and torture against political opponents and detainees, including US citizens.

The allegations relate to conduct during Maduro's time in power.

Prosecutors allege that the system was used to help Maduro and Flores maintain their political position and suppress opposition.

The indictment alleges a range of forms of abuse, including electric shocks, asphyxiation, rape, forced nudity, prolonged isolation, starvation and psychological torture.

These are prosecutors' allegations contained in an indictment and have not been proven in court.

Maduro denies the new charges

Maduro's lawyer, Barry Pollack, said his client denies the new allegations and looks forward to having his case heard in court.

Maduro and Flores were already facing charges connected to alleged drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.

The latest indictment expands the case to include allegations concerning the treatment of people detained in Venezuela.

Flores has also been added to the existing narco-terrorism charge, according to US prosecutors.

Maduro and Flores remain in US custody

Maduro and Flores have been held in a detention centre in Brooklyn since they were brought to the United States in January following their capture in Venezuela.

Their case is being heard in federal court in Manhattan.

Flores recently sought to be released to house arrest, but a judge rejected the request.

Both are expected to remain in custody while the case proceeds.

Allegations involving American detainees

The new accusations include claims concerning Americans who were detained in Venezuela during Maduro's rule.

US prosecutors allege that the wider system of repression also targeted political opponents and that torture was used as part of efforts to maintain control.

Human rights organisations have previously documented allegations of torture and mistreatment in Venezuelan detention facilities.

The latest US indictment brings some of those longstanding allegations into the criminal case against Maduro and Flores.

Venezuela under new leadership

Maduro is no longer leading Venezuela.

Following his removal from power, former vice-president Delcy Rodríguez became interim leader with backing from the Trump administration.

Hundreds of political prisoners have reportedly been released since the change in government, although rights groups say hundreds more remain detained.

The United Nations has also previously raised concerns about continuing allegations of torture and other human rights abuses in Venezuela.

Trial scheduled for 2027

Maduro and Flores are expected to remain in US custody as their case progresses.

Their trial is currently scheduled to begin in June 2027.

The new torture allegations significantly expand the scope of the criminal case against the former Venezuelan leader and his wife.

However, the charges remain allegations unless and until they are proven in court.

The case is continuing in the United States.