US indictment adds torture-conspiracy charge against Maduro and Flores

New York prosecutors have made public a revised indictment alleging that Nicolás Maduro, who formerly led Venezuela, and his wife Cilia Flores conspired to torture people imprisoned in Venezuela during his presidency. The charges were made public on 8 October, as the couple remain in US custody following their capture in Caracas in January.¹³⁵

Allegations in the indictment

The indictment alleges that Maduro and Flores used violence, arbitrary detention and torture as part of a system intended to retain power and suppress political opponents. Prosecutors allege that the mistreatment included electric shocks, asphyxiation, sexual abuse, forced nudity, isolation, starvation, punishment cells and psychological abuse, including threats against detainees’ families.¹³

The charges cite US citizens detained in Venezuela, including three Americans identified in the indictment, according to reports. Prosecutors allege that one American was repeatedly beaten after an arrest by a Venezuelan intelligence officer in January 2025, leaving a permanent eye injury. Associated Press reported that Osman Khan was among the alleged victims.²³

According to prosecutors, Maduro either directly ordered mistreatment of prisoners or received frequent reports about it. They also allege that Flores helped develop the repressive system, ordered torture, received updates on prisoners’ treatment and attended some meetings where detainees were discussed. These are allegations in the indictment and have not been established in court.¹³

Existing case and response

The new accusation was added to an existing US case alleging narcoterrorism, cocaine-importation and weapons-related conspiracies. The first indictment, issued in 2020, named Maduro along with 14 other people. Prosecutors have alleged that Maduro, Flores, their son and others participated in a cocaine-trafficking conspiracy involving cartels designated as terrorist groups.¹³

In earlier proceedings, Maduro and Flores entered not-guilty pleas on narcoterrorism and drug-trafficking counts. Barry Pollack, Maduro’s lawyer, said: “Maduro denies the new charges and looks forward to his day in court.” Pollack also said he had not received notice of further charges before they were made public.¹³⁵

The couple’s lawyers have asked a federal court to dismiss the case, arguing that the US seizure of Maduro was unlawful and that he was immune from prosecution as the leader of a sovereign country, according to the BBC. The judge had not ruled on that request as of 7 October.¹

Custody and Venezuela

US forces seized Maduro and Flores at their Caracas compound in January and brought them to New York, according to the BBC and ABC News. They have been held in federal custody since January. On 8 October, a judge denied Flores’s request for pretrial release; the pair are expected to be arraigned on the new counts later.¹⁴⁵

The couple’s trial is scheduled to begin on 1 June 2027. Separately, hundreds of political prisoners were released under an amnesty law, but more than 300 remained detained, according to the BBC. Volker Türk said his office had received reports in March that torture of detainees continued after Maduro’s seizure.¹³