New Indictment Charges Nicolas Maduro and Wife with Torturing US Citizens

Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores face new charges in an indictment released on Thursday, accusing them of conspiring to torture US citizens and other individuals. Mr Maduro, who governed Venezuela as president for approximately 13 years, and his wife were detained by US soldiers at the presidential compound in Caracas in early January following earlier indictments by Washington on weapons and drug offenses. Ms Flores was scheduled to make a court appearance on Thursday.

The updated indictment alleges that Mr Maduro and Ms Flores directed "a system of repression that relied on violence against political opposition, arbitrary detention and the torture of detainees." According to the document, the alleged torture involved "electric shock, asphyxiation, rape, forced nudity, prolonged isolation, starvation, punishment cells and psychological torture, such as threats to harm and kill victims’ families, including children." The victims included US citizens who were "believed to pose a threat" to Mr Maduro.

The indictment details specific abuses, noting that "one particular United States citizen was detained in Venezuela and subjected to, among other things, deprivation of food and water, simulated drowning, repeated beatings, electric shock to his testicles and forced injections."

Following their capture, the former Venezuelan president and his wife have remained in custody in New York awaiting trial. Both previously entered pleas of not guilty to the initial charges against them, which included narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.

Mr Maduro assumed power in Venezuela in 2013 following the passing of long-time leader Hugo Chavez. Throughout his tenure, critics repeatedly accused his administration of political repression, widespread corruption, and criminal activity amidst the ongoing collapse of the nation's economy.