From ABC News · ABC News · · 1m 40s
Maduro and Wife Face Torture Charges
Former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and wife Cilia Flores accused of conspiring to torture Americans in Venezuelan prisons.
In brief
Former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and wife Cilia Flores accused of conspiring to torture Americans in Venezuelan prisons. Federal prosecutors in New York charged Maduro and his wife with conspiracy to torture and narcoterrorism after alleging systematic torture of American citizens in Venezuelan prisons…
New Charges Unsealed
Federal prosecutors in New York unsealed new charges against ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores for alleged torture of Americans.
“Prosecutors allege Maduro "presided over this system of repression and torture."”
Torture Allegations
The indictment claims Maduro authorized torture against specific individuals and oversaw a system using torture, military detention, and violence against political opposition.
“When Maduro became President of Venezuela in or about 2013, he authorized the use of torture against specific individuals and oversaw a system designed to use torture, military detention, and violence as a means of repression against the political opposition”
Victim-8 Case
An American citizen identified as Victim-8 was allegedly tortured with electrocution, sexual assault, and pressure devices after being injured in a prison attack.
“Venezuelan officers allegedly "electrocuted Victim-8's testicles and put a pressure device on his ankles, causing him to faint several times" during transport from the hospital to prison”
Victim-9 Case
Another American citizen, Victim-9, was beaten for two days by Venezuelan authorities before being released on January 15, 2026, two weeks after Maduro's ouster.
“For two days they beat him with their fists to the face, head, and stomach approximately every half an hour. The beatings caused permanent injury to Victim-9's eye.”
Victim-7 Case
Victim-7 was detained in 2002 on charges of conspiring to assassinate Maduro and tortured over two or three days with beatings and a noxious liquid.
“Among other things, the officers punched him in the face and abdomen, covered his face and poured a noxious liquid over his face that caused him to vomit, which the officer then forced him to eat.”
Court Appearance
Cilia Flores appeared in Manhattan federal court on October 8, 2026, and was denied bail by Judge Alvin Hellerstein who cited serious allegations of torture.
“Jail is not a nice place to be, but these are serious allegations”
Defense Request
Flores' defense attorney Mark Donnelly argued she needs medical care and proposed house arrest with a private security detail to avoid jail conditions.
“The conditions that the defense proposes address all the risk of flight concerns that the government may have”
Next Steps
Maduro and Flores will be arraigned on the new charges after their court appearance in Manhattan federal court on October 8, 2026.
“Maduro and his wife will be arraigned on the new charges at a later date”
The short version
Federal prosecutors in New York charged Maduro and his wife with conspiracy to torture and narcoterrorism after alleging systematic torture of American citizens in Venezuelan prisons.
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