U.S. prosecutors announced new criminal charges against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on October 8, 2026, accusing him and his wife, Cilia Flores, of leading a state-sponsored system of torture. The indictment alleges that Maduro was involved in the torture of multiple victims, including Americans, through methods such as beatings, asphyxiation, and electric shocks. U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald described the allegations as 'truly unthinkable.'
Maduro, who was captured by U.S. military forces in January, has denied the charges through his lawyer, Barry Pollack, who stated that Maduro looks forward to his day in court. The indictment claims that Maduro suggested torture methods and received updates on victims' treatment, including instances where he allegedly laughed after hearing about prisoner abuse. Flores is accused of assisting in the development of the repressive system and ordering specific acts of torture.
The charges are part of a broader investigation into Maduro's actions since he took office in 2013, following the death of his predecessor, Hugo Chávez. The indictment cites historical context, noting that Maduro authorized the use of torture against military insiders and opponents amid a deteriorating economic situation and political unrest in Venezuela.
The indictment does not name specific victims but describes incidents that align with known cases of opposition figures, including Leopoldo López and Raúl Baduel. Three American victims are also mentioned, detailing severe torture experiences. One victim, Osman Khan, was reportedly subjected to electric shocks and forced to eat vomit during eight months of imprisonment.
Khan, along with other Americans, was released in a prisoner exchange in October 2022 and later won a $300 million judgment against Maduro for torture. Kenneth Roth, a senior fellow at Yale University, noted that while torture is a grave crime under international law, prosecution of foreign officials in the U.S. is rare.
The Venezuelan government has not publicly responded to the new charges. The indictment reportedly relies on testimony from General Hugo Carvajal, a former Maduro associate who has cooperated with U.S. prosecutors.
On the same day, Flores appeared in court for a hearing regarding her medical treatment while in custody. Her lawyers expressed concerns about her health, stating she has lost significant weight and may require heart surgery. The request for her release was denied by U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who cited her as an extreme flight risk. Demonstrators outside the courthouse supported Flores' request for bail.