Key facts
- Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores face new US charges for conspiracy to commit torture.
- Prosecutors allege Maduro authorized torture against opponents to maintain power since 2013.
- Allegations include beatings, electrocutions, asphyxiation, and rape of detainees.
- One American detainee was allegedly forced to eat his own vomit.
- Maduro and Flores were captured in a US military raid in January.
- US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein denied Flores' motion for jail release.
Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have been hit with additional US criminal charges for allegedly torturing political opponents and American citizens as part of a system to maintain power. The new charges, filed in Manhattan federal court, include conspiracy to commit torture.
Prosecutors allege that since becoming president in 2013, Maduro authorized the use of torture and oversaw a system designed for repression. The indictment details disturbing allegations, including beatings, electrocutions, asphyxiation, and rape of detainees, both American citizens and Venezuelans. One American detainee was reportedly forced to eat his own vomit.
Maduro and Flores were captured in a US military raid in January and have pleaded not guilty to prior drug trafficking charges. They are being held without bail in New York.
Separately, US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein denied Flores' request to be released from jail for health reasons. The judge cited her significant flight risk due to her wealth and connections within the Venezuelan government, stating that Venezuela would likely not extradite her if she were to escape. He also noted that other judges have found it unfair to allow defendants to pay for their own supervision.
US Attorney Jamie McDonald described the alleged actions as the "epitome of corruption" and stated that the conduct caused significant and generational harm.