US weighs new torture charges against Maduro, wife

US prosecutors are set to file fresh charges against former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in relation to the alleged torture of American citizens detained in Venezuelan custody during Maduro's tenure. The new accusations, which could be announced as early as Thursday, pertain to the wrongful imprisonment of over a dozen U.S. nationals while Maduro was in power.

Maduro and Flores are already facing drug trafficking and firearms charges in the United States following a remarkable U.S. military operation in January that saw them apprehended from their Caracas residence. The alleged torture charges stem from U.S. prosecutors' claims that Maduro utilized state authority to facilitate and support illicit drug trafficking operations, frequently collaborating with drug cartels to transport large quantities of cocaine into the United States.

Both Maduro and Flores have pleaded not guilty to the charges they are currently facing. Maduro faces four counts including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructible devices. Meanwhile, Flores has pleaded not guilty to three counts: cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructible devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructible devices.

Flores is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow for a hearing regarding her request to be transferred from custody to house arrest due to reported heart issues.