Nicolas Maduro, wife face torture charge in new U.S. indictment

Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York have filed a superseding indictment against deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, adding a charge of conspiracy to commit torture. The couple, who were captured by U.S. forces in January 2026 and are currently in U.S. custody, already faced charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine importation. The new allegations state that Maduro's regime oversaw a system of political repression involving the torture of dissidents and over a dozen American citizens. During a recent court appearance, a judge denied bail for Flores, citing the strength of the evidence and her access to significant funds.

Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York have filed a superseding indictment against deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, adding a charge of conspiracy to commit torture. The couple, who were captured by U.S. forces in January 2026 and are currently in U.S. custody, already faced charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine importation. The new allegations state that Maduro's regime oversaw a system of political repression involving the torture of dissidents and over a dozen American citizens. During a recent court appearance, a judge denied bail for Flores, citing the strength of the evidence and her access to significant funds.