US federal prosecutors on Thursday charged former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores with conspiring to commit torture, adding a grave new count to the criminal case the couple already faces in a Manhattan court — the first time Maduro has faced US criminal charges over torture allegations.
The superseding indictment, unsealed on October 8, 2026 in the Southern District of New York, adds a conspiracy-to-commit-torture charge to the existing counts against the couple, which include drug trafficking, narcoterrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons offenses.
Prosecutors allege that when Maduro became president in 2013, he “authorized the use of torture against specific individuals and oversaw a system designed to use torture, arbitrary detention, and violence as a means of repression against the political opposition,” according to the indictment.
FAKTA
- Who: Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, 63, and his wife Cilia Flores, 69
- New charge: Conspiracy to commit torture, in a superseding indictment unsealed October 8, 2026 in Manhattan federal court
- Alleged victims: Nine people detailed in the indictment, including three US citizens; the US says more than a dozen Americans were wrongfully detained in Venezuelan prisons during Maduro’s rule
- Existing charges: Drug trafficking, narcoterrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy, weapons offenses — both have pleaded not guilty
- Status: Held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since their capture; trial scheduled for 2027
- Potential penalty: A mandatory minimum of 50 years in prison if convicted on all counts, prosecutors say
Disturbing allegations in the indictment
The indictment outlines alleged torture of both Venezuelans and Americans detained during Maduro’s time in government, including beatings, electric shocks, asphyxiation, rape, forced nudity, prolonged isolation, food deprivation and psychological abuse.
In one instance, prosecutors said Maduro in 2013 ordered the arrest of a Venezuelan military officer he suspected of planning a coup. Members of Venezuela’s military counterintelligence directorate then allegedly interrogated the officer, shocking him with a live electric wire around 20 times and hanging him by the hands and feet for several minutes at a time.
In 2022, an American citizen detained while entering Venezuela was accused of conspiring to assassinate Maduro and was allegedly tortured by military counterintelligence officers through beatings and electric shocks to the arms, legs and genitals, according to the indictment. One American who was detained was allegedly forced to eat his own vomit.
Investigators have also discussed charging several additional people for their alleged role in the torture of Americans, people briefed on the investigation told CNN.
Official statements
Attorney General Todd Blanche said the charges reflect the administration’s dedication to “delivering justice for the victims of torture, narcoterrorism, and organized crime.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said the indictment followed the January operation that captured the couple, describing the charges as reflecting a commitment to “accountability, the rule of law, and the protection of US national security.”
US Attorney Jamie McDonald said the indictment alleged “conduct that is truly unthinkable,” adding that “Maduro, Flores and other high-ranking members of their inner circle used a violent system of torture and repression to maintain their power in Venezuela.”
Defense denies charges
Maduro’s lawyer Barry Pollack said his client denies the charges and looks forward to his day in court. Lawyers for Flores, Mark Donnelly and Andres Sanchez, said their client denies the allegations and questioned why prosecutors revealed the indictment shortly before Thursday’s hearing.
Flores had appeared in court Thursday seeking release on health grounds ahead of trial, but US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who is overseeing the case, denied the request.
Context of the case
Maduro and Flores were captured on January 3, 2026 in their Caracas home during a US military operation ordered by President Donald Trump, and were flown to New York to face the original drug charges announced that same day. Venezuela has since boosted cooperation with the US under the leadership of Maduro’s former Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.
US officials and human rights groups have long accused Venezuelan officials of torturing detainees, but Thursday’s indictment marked the first time Maduro faced criminal charges over the allegations. Read more world news on watannews.dk.
