Federal prosecutors in the United States have filed additional criminal charges against the ousted President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. The new court filings accuse the couple of conspiracy to commit torture, adding to the extensive legal pressure they already face while in American custody.
Maduro and Flores are currently being held at a federal detention facility in Brooklyn, New York. Their detention follows an extraordinary US military operation in January that resulted in their capture from their residential compound in Caracas. Prior to these new allegations, the pair had already been indicted on federal drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
Details of the Abuse Allegations
According to court documents unsealed on Thursday, the new charges focus on a coordinated effort to inflict severe physical and mental suffering on detainees. Prosecutors allege that the conspiracy sought to silence political opponents, suppress dissent, and secure the regime’s grip on power through fear and violence.
The updated indictment outlines disturbing tactics used against prisoners in Venezuelan detention centers. Unidentified victims, including citizens of the United States, were reportedly subjected to waterboarding, electric shocks administered via live wires, and severe physical beatings. The filing notes that kidnapping and intimidation were also standard tools used to neutralize opposition figures.
Awaiting Trial in New York
The legal team representing the United States government argues that these actions were specifically designed to protect the authority of Maduro and his inner circle. By targeting perceived dissidents and foreign nationals, the regime allegedly maintained a climate of fear to discourage political opposition.
Maduro and Flores are scheduled to stand trial in a New York federal court next June. They remain in custody as defense attorneys and federal prosecutors prepare for one of the most high-profile trials involving a former foreign head of state in recent history.