Venezuela’s Maduro, wife plead not guilty to new US torture charges

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores appeared in a New York court on Thursday, pleading not guilty to newly filed torture charges against them. The charges allege that the couple conspired to engage in acts such as waterboarding, rape, and beatings against victims, including American citizens, while they were in Venezuelan custody.

Maduro, who has previously referred to himself as a prisoner of war, described the charges as "false allegations." The pair was captured by U.S. military forces during a raid on their compound in Caracas and has been held in a Brooklyn jail since January. Additionally, they face drug trafficking and firearms charges in the United States.

According to the indictment, Maduro and Flores used torture as a means to intimidate, harass, and neutralize their opponents, often through kidnappings. During their presidency from 2013 to 2026, human rights groups accused Maduro of employing political repression to maintain power. The couple is set to have their trial in New York next June and are currently detained in Brooklyn.

They have requested that the charges be dismissed, arguing that they possess immunity as president and first lady of a sovereign nation. Following their capture, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez assumed interim leadership of Venezuela, facing significant pressure from the Trump administration.