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Venezuela's Maduro charged in US with ordering torture of opponents, Americans
Reuters • • general
Key Points:
- US prosecutors have charged former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores with conspiring to torture political opponents and American citizens, adding to existing drug trafficking charges against them.
- The new indictment alleges torture of nine individuals, including three US citizens, and details a violent system used by Maduro, Flores, and their inner circle to maintain power in Venezuela.
- Flores' request for bail due to health concerns was denied by US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who cited strong evidence against her and noted she appeared relatively healthy.
- Maduro and Flores were captured in a US military operation in January 2024 and are currently held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, with their trial scheduled for June 1, 2027.
- Both Maduro and Flores deny all charges and have yet to enter pleas for the new torture-related indictment.
