Federal prosecutors filed a superseding indictment on Thursday, October 8, 2026, adding a charge of conspiracy to commit torture against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The new allegations state that Maduro and Flores oversaw a system of political repression involving the torture of over a dozen American citizens and thousands of Venezuelans. Both have been in U.S. custody in New York since their capture in January 2026.
The couple already faced charges filed in January 2026 including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and weapons offenses. Their attorneys have previously requested a dismissal of the case, arguing that as the former leader and first lady of a foreign country, Maduro and Flores have legal immunity. Maduro, who served as president from 2013 until his capture, has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and characterized his capture as a kidnapping.
The 30-page indictment alleges that Maduro personally authorized torture methods such as electric shocks, asphyxiation, and beatings. Prosecutors claim he received regular updates on specific victims and instructed officials to "squeeze them harder" to extract information. One American citizen detained in 2022 was allegedly given injections that caused seizures, while another was forced to eat his own vomit. Cilia Flores is accused of helping develop the repressive system and specifically ordering the torture of certain individuals.
The legal proceedings also impact the medical rights and detention conditions of foreign detainees. Cilia Flores, aged 69, sought release on house arrest citing a 25-pound weight loss and potential heart surgery requirements while at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Judge Henry J. Ricardo denied the request on October 8, 2026, after prosecutors argued she was an extreme flight risk and that her medical needs were being addressed.
The outcome of this case may influence how the U.S. government handles the prosecution of former foreign heads of state and the use of military operations to capture individuals indicted on criminal charges. Maduro has referred to himself as a "prisoner of war" following the raid by U.S. forces. What happens next includes an arraignment on the new torture charges, which a judge allowed to be delayed on Thursday to give defense attorneys time to review the indictment. No specific trial date for the combined drug and torture case was reported.