Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores face new U.S. torture charges
Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores were arrested in Caracas on January 3 by US forces and are now detained in Brooklyn. They face multiple charges including torture, repression, and drug trafficking, tied to the detention of US citizens and military personnel in Venezuela.
- Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores are accused of torture, repression, and drug trafficking in a New York federal case, with charges tied to the illegal detention of US citizens and military personnel in Venezuela.
- New York prosecutors are filing additional charges against Maduro and Flores in a federal court, expanding the case to include torture and repression.
- The charges relate to the alleged wrongful detention of more than a dozen US citizens and torture of political opponents in Venezuela.
- Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty during their first court appearance.
- Maduro and Flores were arrested by US forces in Caracas on January 3 and are now held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
- The trial for Maduro and Flores is scheduled for June 2027.
- Prosecutors are considering charging others for their alleged roles in torturing US citizens.
- US prosecutors allege Maduro used state power to support illegal drug smuggling and conspired with cartel groups to move cocaine.
- U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein denied Cilia Flores' request for bail and a hearing on house arrest was scheduled.
- Maduro denies the charges and anticipates trial.
- The indictment alleges Cilia Flores helped develop the repressive system in Venezuela.
- A Venezuelan military officer allegedly received 20 electrical shocks during detention in Venezuela.
- The US accused Maduro's government of detaining Americans to pressure for financial sanctions relief.
- Prosecutors allege Maduro ordered the arrest of a military officer in 2013.
- Flores has pleaded not guilty to the three counts she faces and faces a mandatory minimum of 40 years in prison if convicted.
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