Maduro, Flores Arraigned on Torture Conspiracy Charges
Former Venezuelan President and wife face federal court in Manhattan over state-sponsored repression allegations.
Sarah Connor
Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were arraigned in federal court in Manhattan on Thursday.
Judge Alvin Hellerstein entered a not guilty plea on Maduro's behalf after the former president rejected the indictment. Cilia Flores, however, declared her innocence, stating, "I am completely innocent. I am not guilty."
Maduro served as Venezuela's president from 2013 until his capture in January. US authorities seized the couple in Venezuela and flew them to New York that same month.
I am completely innocent. I am not guilty.
US Prosecutors claim Americans endured torture under Maduro's regime. Methods included simulated drowning, asphyxiation, and electric shocks to the genitals.
Maduro and Flores allegedly approved physical and psychological abuse against anyone they perceived as a threat to their regime. Victims reportedly received electric shocks to their genitals and injections of mystery substances that caused seizures.
Prosecutors claim Maduro and Flores controlled a violent power structure that authorized torture against specific individuals, including US citizens. Maduro allegedly personally signed off on the unlawful arrest and torture of particular people.
In 2011, when a judicial official resisted an edict from Maduro, officials reportedly arrested and tortured their family members. Two years later, Maduro allegedly ordered the arrest of 'Victim-2,' a Venezuelan military officer who opposed his rule.
Officials reportedly shocked Victim-2 with a live electric wire approximately 20 times, even wetting his back to intensify the pain. They also struck Victim-2 on his legs, back, and head with their fists, a belt, and what appeared to be a pipe.
Guards allegedly 'hung Victim-2 from his hands and feet for several minutes at a time causing him to lose consciousness; and placed Victim-2's head into water, submerging his nose and mouth to simulate drowning, approximately 30 times.' In 2014, after learning a political prisoner remained defiant, Maduro reportedly made a hand signal – screwing one into the other – which his officials interpreted as an order to 'squeeze them harder,' or intensify the abuse.
Maduro allegedly suggested forms of torture, such as 'do not let them sleep' and 'pour water on them,' at times laughing when informed of the abuse. One US citizen, identified as 'Victim-7,' was reportedly detained while entering Venezuela in January 2022 and falsely accused of involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate Maduro.
Maduro and Flores are scheduled to go on trial starting on June 1, 2027.