U.S. Authorities Add Torture Charges to Criminal Case Against Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were captured in a middle-of-the-night raid at their Caracas home in January. U.S. federal authorities added new torture charges on Thursday to the ongoing criminal case against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Expanding Criminal Allegations in New York

Maduro and Flores were already facing charges in New York for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to traffic cocaine into the United States. The revised indictment now accuses both of participating in a conspiracy to commit torture. In one instance, the indictment claims Maduro threatened the life of a prisoner’s child as a tactic of psychological torment. The document further alleges that Maduro signed off on specific torture methods, requested updates on the treatment of victims, and watched a video recording of a forced confession. New York-based U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald, speaking outside the courthouse, stated that the indictment alleges conduct that is truly unthinkable. He added, This is the epitome of corruption.

Flores, who served as a legislator and attorney general in Venezuela, is accused of helping to build this repressive infrastructure and ordering the torture of specific individuals. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the initial drug charges and maintain they possess immunity as a foreign head of state and first lady. If convicted, they face potential life sentences in federal prison. The indictment asserts that thousands of Venezuelans were harassed, threatened, arrested, prosecuted, assaulted, tortured, or killed by individuals acting under the direction of the Maduro government.

Documented Abuse of U.S. Citizens

The indictment identifies three U.S. citizens among the victims, though it does not publicly name them. The court documents describe severe physical abuse, including victims being subjected to electric shocks, forced to ingest their own vomit, and threatened with firearms held inside their mouths. Other documented abuses include victims being hooded, handcuffed, and beaten repeatedly over several days, resulting in permanent injuries.

These criminal charges follow a series of civil actions brought against the Venezuelan government. In May, former U.S. Marine corporal Matthew Heath and another prisoner secured a $300 million default judgment against Maduro and other officials. That lawsuit, filed under federal anti-terrorism statutes, included claims of waterboarding, the use of mind-altering drugs, and confinement in a cramped cell known as El Tigrito.

Medical Status of the Former First Lady

While the court proceedings continue, attorneys for Cilia Flores requested her release to house arrest, citing deteriorating health. Her legal team stated that the 69-year-old has lost 25 pounds since being detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. They also reported that she may have suffered a minor heart attack and requires heart surgery, alongside persistent lightheadedness and scarring from her arrest. Outside the courthouse, over a dozen demonstrators gathered to hold signs and chant in support of her release.

U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein denied the bail request. The judge noted that Flores has declined to undergo a catheterization procedure while in custody, which officials argue is necessary to determine the cause of her cardiac symptoms. Prosecutors maintain that Flores remains an extreme flight risk and that she receives necessary medical attention at local hospitals when required.

Testimony from Former Intelligence Officials

The case relies in part on evidence regarding the DGCIM, Venezuela’s military intelligence agency. Gen. Hugo Carvajal, who previously led the agency and was a co-defendant of Maduro, has entered a guilty plea for drug trafficking and is cooperating with U.S. authorities.

Following the hearing, Matthew Heath expressed support for the aggressive prosecution of the former leader. Matthew Heath said, It’s incredible to see a dictator in court. He also stated, The Maduro prosecution will do more to prevent the kidnapping of Americans by rogue regimes than a hundred press releases from the United Nations.