Maduro and Wife Face New Torture Charges in New York

Federal prosecutors in New York on Thursday unsealed new charges against former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, accusing them of conspiring to torture individuals held in Venezuelan prisons, including Americans.

The superseding indictment alleges that Maduro "presided over this system of repression and torture" and that Flores helped develop it. "When Maduro became President of Venezuela in or about 2013, he authorized the use of torture against specific individuals and oversaw a system designed to use torture, military detention, and violence as a means of repression against the political opposition," the indictment states.

Maduro faces one count of conspiracy to commit torture, while Flores is charged with conspiracy to commit torture and one count of narcoterrorism. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the Maduro regime allegedly subjected over a dozen American citizens to torture, including through drugs, electrocution, and sexual assault.

Prosecutors detailed instances of alleged torture. One American citizen, identified as Victim-8, was allegedly tortured after being detained while visiting family. According to the indictment, Venezuelan officers electrocuted Victim-8's testicles and placed a pressure device on his ankles, causing him to faint. His torturers reportedly told him he was kept alive because he was a U.S. citizen and could be useful in a prisoner exchange.

Another American citizen, Victim-9, was allegedly beaten repeatedly over two days, causing permanent injury to his eye, after Maduro declared victory in what the U.S. called a sham election in 2024. Victim-9 was released in January 2026, two weeks after Maduro's ouster, and warned not to speak about the abuse.

In a separate alleged incident from January 2002, an American citizen identified as Victim-7 was detained on charges of participating in a plot to assassinate Maduro. Victim-7 was allegedly tortured for days, including being punched, having a noxious liquid poured over his face, and being subjected to electric shock, beatings, food and water deprivation, and forced injections causing seizures.

Maduro and Flores previously pleaded not guilty to earlier charges of narcoterrorism and drug trafficking. Maduro's defense has argued for immunity from prosecution based on his former status as a sovereign nation's leader.

Flores appeared in court and was denied pretrial release on bail. Her attorney argued for house arrest with a private security detail, citing a need for a medical procedure. Prosecutors opposed her release, citing "horrific acts" and the testimony of witnesses who would reportedly testify about the torture she allegedly conspired to carry out. Maduro did not appear in court, and both are expected to be arraigned on the new charges at a later date.