US prosecutors in Manhattan charged Venezuela’s ousted President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on Thursday with conspiring to torture political opponents and American citizens.
The superseding indictment adds a torture count to the drug trafficking case the couple already faces. It details alleged torture of nine people, including three US citizens. Each would face a mandatory minimum of 50 years in prison if convicted of all charges.
Mr Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, said: “President Maduro denies the charges in the new indictment and looks forward to his day in court.” The couple pleaded not guilty to the original charges but have not yet entered pleas to the new indictment.
Separately, US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein denied Ms Flores’ request for release on health grounds, saying the evidence against her appeared strong. Prosecutors had opposed bail.
Mr Maduro and Ms Flores were captured in Caracas on 3 January. Their trial is scheduled for 1 June 2027.
