Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro pleads not guilty to torture charges
Maduro and his wife were charged with leading a state-sponsored repression campaign that tortured scores of victims during his presidency from 2013 to 2026.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in court on Thursday to plead not guilty to newly unsealed torture charges. The indictment alleges that they led a state-sponsored repression campaign responsible for torturing numerous individuals, including three Americans, during Maduro's presidency from 2013 to 2026.
Maduro reportedly recommended torture methods, received updates on specific victims' treatment, and threatened to kill a prisoner's child as a form of psychological torture. Cilia Flores is accused of helping develop the repressive system and ordering the torture of specific individuals. Human rights groups have long accused Venezuelan officials of torture, but this is the first time a US indictment has held Maduro accountable for such allegations. The trial is set to begin on June 14, 2027.
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- Venezuela's Maduro and wife plead not guilty to US torture charges koreatimes.co.kr
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- Nicolás Maduro tells New York court new torture allegations are ‘false’ theguardian.com
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- Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro and wife Cilia Flores deny US torture charges as 'false accusations' france24.com
- Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro pleads not guilty to torture charges dw.com
