Maduro, wife charged over alleged torture of Americans in Venezuela

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been charged in the United States over the alleged torture of American citizens detained in Venezuela.

The charges followed an investigation by the FBI and other US agencies.

In a post on X, FBI Director, Kash Patel said the superseding indictment charges Maduro and Flores with conspiracy to commit torture, while Maduro faces a separate narco-terrorism charge.

US authorities alleged that more than a dozen Americans were subjected to abuse while in Venezuelan government custody, including drugging, electrocution and sexual assault.

The indictment further alleged that torture and other forms of violence were used against people detained by the Venezuelan government.

“These charges reflect the commitment from this FBI and this Department of Justice to accountability, the rule of law, and the protection of U.S. national security,” Patel said.

The fresh charges come months after Maduro and Flores were captured in Venezuela and brought to the United States to face earlier criminal charges.

Both have pleaded not guilty to the drug-related allegations and remain in US custody pending trial.