<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are expected to face new charges related to their alleged involvement in the torture of U.S. citizens, according to U.S. officials on Wednesday.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Trump administration captured Maduro in January during a military operation and brought him and his wife to the United States to stand trial on charges of narco-terrorism and possession of machine guns.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">New charges are anticipated to be announced against Maduro and Flores regarding accusations that they authorized the torture of Americans held in Venezuelan prisons, as reported by Reuters.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Washington Examiner contacted the Department of Justice for comment.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The charges are expected to be announced on Thursday, coinciding with Flores's appearance in Manhattan federal court for a hearing. Flores is expected to request U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein to release her from jail prior to the couple’s trial in June, citing health reasons. Both have been held in a federal jail in Brooklyn.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald is anticipated to address the media following the 10:30 a.m. hearing on Thursday, according to Fox News.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Maduro’s attorney stated to CBS News that he has not received any notification regarding the potential for additional charges.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The couple has pleaded not guilty to the existing drug trafficking and weapons charges, which stem from an alleged scheme to import thousands of tons of cocaine into the U.S.</p>