Nicolas Maduro, the former Venezuelan president, and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in a New York court on Thursday to face new allegations related to their involvement in the torture of political opponents. The charges come as Maduro, 63, has been previously accused of abusing power to facilitate cocaine trafficking into the United States.
In court, both Maduro and Flores stated their intention to defend themselves against the allegations, asserting their innocence. Their legal team is expected to formally present this defense before District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in Manhattan’s federal court.
Prosecutors in Manhattan allege that Maduro directed officials to torture opposition politicians and military personnel accused of conspiring against him. One incident highlighted in the indictment describes how, in 2014, Maduro ordered the kidnapping of military personnel to extract information on alleged dissidents, instructing officials to “tighten the pressure” on those who resisted.
Flores reportedly agreed with Maduro’s approach, dismissing the idea of gathering intelligence through infiltration into military ranks, according to prosecutors. Notably, neither Maduro nor Flores is charged with personally committing acts of torture.
Their trial is set to begin on June 1, 2027. If convicted on all counts, they face a mandatory minimum sentence of 50 years in prison.
