Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and his wife charged over torture allegations
Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in a US federal court on charges of conspiracy to commit torture. The new charges supplement existing allegations of drug trafficking and weapons violations, citing a pattern of abuse against political opponents and US citizens.
Why it matters
This escalation in legal action against a former head of state highlights ongoing international efforts to hold the Venezuelan leadership accountable for human rights abuses.
The new US charge adds to the existing drug trafficking case against Venezuela’s former president and first lady.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Venezuela's abducted former President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, attend their arraignment with defence lawyers Barry Pollack and Mark Donnelly to face US federal drug trafficking and weapons charges, in Manhattan, New York City, on January 5, 2026, in this courtroom sketch [File: Jane Rosenberg/Reuters] By Al Jazeera Staff Published On 8 Oct 2026 8 Oct 2026 Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were charged in the US state of New York with conspiring to commit torture in connection with allegations that they tortured political opponents to maintain their power.
Also covering this story
7 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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