US prosecutors charge Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores with conspiracy to commit torture

Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were hit with a new US criminal charge of conspiracy to commit torture in a Manhattan federal court on Thursday. This additional count follows their previous indictment for drug trafficking and weapons violations. The couple has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since being captured by the US military at their residence in Caracas on January 3, 2026, an operation that effectively ended Maduro’s 13-year presidency. Reports indicate the indictment describes a systemic use of torture, including electric shocks, beatings, and waterboarding, against political opponents and American citizens during their tenure.

While Maduro and Flores have pleaded not guilty to the initial charges, their legal battle is set to continue with a trial scheduled for June 1, 2027. Meanwhile, Cilia Flores, who is 69, is seeking release from detention for health reasons and was expected to appear in court on Thursday to argue her motion. Venezuela has subsequently shifted toward increased cooperation with the United States under the new leadership of former Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.