# Maduro and Wife Plead Not Guilty to US Torture Charges

> Venezuelan President Maduro and wife plead not guilty to US torture charges in federal court.
- Title: Maduro and Wife Plead Not Guilty to US Torture Charges
- Summary: Venezuelan President Maduro and wife plead not guilty to US torture charges in federal court. Maduro and wife deny US charges of conspiring to torture…
- Keywords: nicolas maduro, cilia flores, torture charges, federal court, venezuela, david hellerstein, news, world, Maduro, Wife, Plead, Guilty
- Source: The Straits Times — https://straitstimes.com/world/united-states/venezuelas-maduro-and-wife-plead-not-guilty-to-us-torture-charges
- Published: 2026-10-15T16:51:10+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nicolas maduro, cilia flores, us, torture charges, federal court, venezuela, david hellerstein, news, world
## Maduro and Wife Plead Not Guilty
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores pleaded not guilty to US torture charges on Oct 15.

> I have seen it in its entirety, Judge Hellerstein
## New Charges Expand Case
The US indictment accuses Maduro and Flores of conspiring to torture political opponents, expanding the criminal case against them.
## Captured in January
Maduro and Flores were captured by US military in a January 3 raid and flown to New York to face drug trafficking charges.
## Mandatory Minimum Sentence
If convicted on all charges, Maduro and Flores would each face a mandatory minimum sentence of 50 years in prison.
## Trial Postponed
The trial start date was postponed by two weeks to June 14, 2027, due to the new charges.
## Torture Allegations
Prosecutors say Maduro directed officials to torture opposition politicians and military personnel to maintain power in Venezuela.
## Key takeaway

Maduro and wife deny US charges of conspiring to torture political opponents after being captured in January.