NEW YORK — Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is facing serious charges in the United States. Authorities have accused him of conspiring to torture citizens to maintain control over Venezuela. These accusations increase the pressure on Maduro, who is already accused of drug trafficking.
The new indictment claims Maduro participated in human rights abuses during his presidency. Prosecutors say he used torture against specific people and authorized a system of repression involving detention and violence against political opponents.
The methods used allegedly included electric shocks, beatings, and asphyxiation. The indictment also accuses Maduro of psychologically torturing prisoners by threatening harm to their family members.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who are currently detained in New York, have pleaded not guilty. They face life sentences if convicted. Flores was in court recently for a hearing, where her lawyer noted he had not yet reviewed the new allegations.
According to the indictment, the feared DGCIM military intelligence agency, once led by Maduro’s co-defendant Gen. Hugo Carvajal, played a role in the torture. Carvajal has pleaded guilty to related charges and has agreed to testify against Maduro.
The indictment details the torture of three unnamed U.S. citizens. One was punched, shocked, and forced to eat vomit. Another suffered a severe beating requiring hospitalization, while the third endured beatings resulting in permanent injury.
Maduro has previously ignored related lawsuits from Americans claiming they were mistreated while detained in Venezuela. These allegations come amid ongoing investigations by the International Criminal Court regarding Maduro’s administration and potential crimes against humanity.
Former First Lady Seeks House Arrest
Meanwhile, Cilia Flores has requested release from jail for medical reasons. Her lawyers argued she requires heart treatment unavailable in detention. They suggested house arrest under surveillance as an alternative.
Flores’s legal team claims she was harmed during her capture and has since lost significant weight and suffered various symptoms indicating heart trouble. Despite these claims, prosecutors opposed her bail, deeming her a flight risk and a danger to the public.
The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, described the raid leading to Maduro’s capture as a precise operation. Maduro argues he is a prisoner of war, characterizing his detention as a kidnapping.
Cilia Flores, alongside Maduro, faces charges of cocaine conspiracy. Her lawyers emphasize her intention to remain with her husband, expressing that she has no plans to flee.