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Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, could face additional criminal charges in the United States over allegations involving the torture of Americans detained in Venezuela, according to a US official familiar with the investigation.
The charges could be announced as early as Thursday, the official said Wednesday. Specific details, including the identities of the alleged victims and the exact offenses prosecutors may pursue, have not yet been disclosed.
Maduro and Flores were captured by US military forces at their homes in Caracas on January 3 before being transferred to New York. They are already facing drug trafficking charges in the United States and have pleaded not guilty.
The Manhattan US Attorney’s Office, which is handling the existing prosecution, declined to comment on the possibility of additional charges. Attorneys representing Maduro and Flores also did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
CNN first reported Wednesday that US authorities were considering new criminal charges related to the alleged mistreatment of American detainees.
Maduro ruled oil-rich Venezuela for 13 years, a period characterized by persistent tensions between Caracas and Washington. During his presidency, the US government accused Venezuelan authorities of wrongfully detaining several American citizens, making the treatment of US nationals a recurring source of friction between the two countries.
The potential torture charges would significantly expand the legal case against Maduro and Flores as they await proceedings on the existing drug trafficking allegations in New York.
Since Maduro’s capture, Venezuela has been led by his former vice president, Delcy Rodriguez. Her government has increased cooperation with the administration of US President Donald Trump, marking a shift in relations between Washington and Caracas following years of political confrontation.
US prosecutors have yet to formally announce the reported new charges, and further details about the investigation are expected to emerge if an indictment is filed.
