Nicolás Maduro, Wife Face Charges

Federal prosecutors in New York are expected to bring new charges against Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The charges concern the alleged torture of Americans detained in Venezuela during Maduro’s time in power. Investigators have discussed charging other people over alleged roles involving more than a dozen detainees. Maduro and Flores already face U.S. charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine-importation conspiracy and weapons offenses. Both have pleaded not guilty and are held in a federal jail in Brooklyn before a tentative June 2027 trial. They seek dismissal on sovereign-immunity grounds, while prosecutors say the alleged crimes were not legitimate government acts. Maduro’s attorney said he had not been notified of possible additional charges. Former detainees described waterboarding, electric shocks and solitary confinement. An announcement could come as soon as Thursday.