Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Maduro and Flores Face New US Torture Conspiracy Charges
The United States has filed new charges against Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Prosecutors say the pair conspired to torture people held in Venezuelan custody, including Americans.
A court filing describes people being shocked with electric wires, waterboarded and beaten.
Prosecutors say the alleged abuse was meant to frighten opponents and stop criticism.
The identities of the people described in the filing were not reported.
Maduro and Flores already face other US charges and have pleaded not guilty to those charges.
They are being held in a jail in Brooklyn and are due to stand trial in New York next June.
Flores is also asking to be released before trial because of heart problems, while prosecutors oppose her release.
The United States filed new charges Thursday against Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, alleging conspiracy to commit torture.
A court filing says the alleged abuse involved severe physical and mental suffering and was intended to repress opposition and silence dissent.
Prosecutors describe unidentified detainees, including US citizens, being shocked with electric wires, waterboarded and beaten in Venezuelan custody.
The new charges add to existing US drug trafficking and firearms charges; Maduro and Flores have pleaded not guilty to the existing charges.
Maduro and Flores are held in a Brooklyn jail and are scheduled for trial in New York next June; Flores is seeking release before trial for health reasons.
- Who
- Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores are charged; prosecutors allege detainees, including US citizens, were tortured.
- What
- The United States filed charges of conspiracy to commit torture, adding to existing charges against the couple.
- When
- The new charges were filed Thursday; the reports say the trial is scheduled for next June.
- Where
- The case is in the United States, with the couple held in a Brooklyn jail; the alleged abuse took place in Venezuelan detention.
- Why
- Prosecutors say the alleged torture was intended to repress political opposition, silence dissent and intimidate opponents.
Prosecutors' allegations
Defendants' position
Alleged torture and its purpose
Prosecutors' allegations
Prosecutors allege Maduro and Flores conspired to torture detainees, including US citizens, to repress opposition and silence dissent.
Defendants' position
Maduro and Flores have pleaded not guilty to existing charges. Their lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the reported new charges.
Flores's request for release
Prosecutors' allegations
Prosecutors oppose Flores's request to be released from jail before trial.
Defendants' position
Flores's lawyer has requested house arrest, arguing that her heart problems cannot be adequately treated under her current prison conditions.
- New charges
- Conspiracy to commit torture, according to a court filing made public Thursday.
- Defendants
- Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores.
- Alleged methods
- Prosecutors describe electric shocks, waterboarding and beatings in Venezuelan detention.
- Alleged purpose
- Repress opposition, silence dissent, preserve the alleged conspirators' authority and intimidate opponents.
- Existing case
- Maduro and Flores already face drug trafficking and firearms charges and have pleaded not guilty to existing charges.
- Custody and trial
- The couple are held in a Brooklyn jail and are scheduled for trial in New York next June.
- Flores's release request
- Her lawyer has sought house arrest, citing heart problems; prosecutors oppose her release.
Sources
Venezuela’s Maduro to face new US charges over alleged torture of Americans, official says
Maduro and Wife Hit With New US Charges Over Alleged Torture
Nicolas Maduro, wife likely to face new charges over alleged torture of US citizens: Report
