Venezuela's Maduro and wife Flores charged with conspiracy to commit torture, prosecutors say
USO•Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores were charged with conspiracy to commit torture, in addition to existing drug trafficking charges. If convicted, they face a mandatory minimum of 50 years in prison; a judge also denied Flores' request for release before trial on health grounds.
1. New charge added
A superseding indictment filed in Manhattan federal court charges Maduro and Flores with conspiracy to commit torture, alleging they tortured political opponents and U.S. citizens to retain power. Prosecutors said Maduro ordered the 2013 arrest of a military officer suspected of plotting a coup; the officer was allegedly shocked with a live wire and hung by the hands and feet. The indictment also describes the alleged torture of an American citizen detained in Venezuela in 2022.
2. Flores remains jailed
U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein denied Flores' request for release ahead of trial, saying the evidence against her appeared strong and that she appeared relatively healthy. Her lawyers said she needed a cardiac procedure and proposed that she recover at a New York-area residence with private security. Prosecutors opposed release, citing flight risk, danger to the public and possible witness intimidation.
3. Trial scheduled
Maduro and Flores were captured by the U.S. military in Caracas on January 3 and brought to New York. They have pleaded not guilty to the drug charges and remain at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. Their trial is scheduled for June 1, 2027.
