Maduro Denies Torture Allegations in Manhattan Court

Defiant former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro railed against explosive new allegations of torture during a dramatic hearing Thursday at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Manhattan. The 63-year-old strongman refused to directly enter a plea, denouncing the charges as "false testimony against me," prompting federal judge Alvin Hellerstein to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, 70, face shocking new allegations that they approved physical and psychological abuse against those perceived as threats to their regime. Prosecutors claim the torture methods included simulated drowning, asphyxiation, and electric shocks to the genitals, alongside injections of mystery substances that induced seizures. Both appeared in court wearing brown prison-issue pants and tops, and were shackled at the ankles.

Flores also pleaded not guilty, telling the court she was "completely innocent."

US prosecutors allege Maduro and Flores "sat atop" a "violent power structure" that authorized torture against specific individuals, including U.S. citizens, who were believed to pose a threat to Maduro's power. The indictment details alleged torture methods such as electric shock, asphyxiation, rape, forced nudity, prolonged isolation, starvation, punishment cells, and psychological torture, including threats to victims' families.

Maduro, who served as president from 2013 until his arrest in January, is accused of personally signing off on the unlawful arrest and torture of specific individuals. Prosecutors claim that in 2011, when a judicial official resisted an edict from Maduro, their family members were arrested and tortured. One family member was allegedly made to drink toilet water and placed in a cold room known as the "Freezer," with a bright light on 24 hours a day and music blaring repeatedly.

In 2013, Maduro is said to have ordered the arrest and torture of a Venezuelan military officer, identified as "Victim-2," who opposed his rule. According to the indictment, this officer was shocked with an electric wire approximately 20 times, struck on his legs, back, and head, hung from his hands and feet until he lost consciousness, and had his head submerged in water approximately 30 times to simulate drowning.

The indictment also details the abuse of three American citizens. One U.S. citizen, "Victim-7," detained in January 2022 and falsely accused of plotting to assassinate Maduro, allegedly endured torture including electric shocks to his arms, legs, and genitals, asphyxiation, and beatings. He was allegedly denied water and food and given forced injections that caused seizures before his release in October 2022.

Another American, "Victim-8," arrested in August 2023 while traveling to see family, was allegedly beaten and threatened with a gun before being taken to prison. While en route, officers reportedly electrocuted his testicles and used a pressure device on his ankles, causing him to faint multiple times.

A third American, "Victim-9," was allegedly beaten so severely in January 2025 that he sustained permanent eye damage.

Maduro and Flores were previously charged with conspiracy to traffic drugs. They now face additional charges including conspiracy to commit torture, narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and weapons charges. They have denied all allegations.

Jamie McDonald, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, described the alleged conduct as "truly unthinkable" and stated that American citizens and thousands of Venezuelans were subjected to torture.

The trial is currently scheduled to begin on June 14, 2027, with both parties agreeing to delays in filings to accommodate an expected motion to dismiss the latest indictment. The accused are next due in court on December 17.