U.S. indictment adds torture charges against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

U.S. prosecutors have added torture charges against Nicolás Maduro, covering alleged abuses during his presidency of Venezuela. Maduro, who was captured in January, is also charged in a separate case with conspiring to send cocaine into the United States.

The revised indictment alleges electric shocks, beatings and asphyxiation. Prosecutors say Maduro approved torture methods, received updates about individual victims, watched a video of a forced confession and threatened to kill one prisoner’s child.

U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald said thousands of Venezuelans and some Americans were tortured to help Maduro and Cilia Flores retain power. A message seeking comment was sent to Maduro’s lawyer, while Flores’ attorney said he had not yet reviewed the new allegations.

U.S. citizens described as victims

The indictment refers to three alleged victims who were U.S. citizens but does not identify them. One was allegedly beaten, shocked and forced to eat his own vomit during eight months in detention. Another required a long hospital stay after severe beatings, while a third suffered permanent eye damage.

One former U.S. Marine, Matthew Heath, was arrested at a Venezuelan roadblock in 2020 and held for more than two years. In May, Heath and another former prisoner won a $300 million default judgment against Maduro and other Venezuelan officials in a lawsuit alleging systematic torture.

Judge keeps Flores in detention

Flores, a former legislator and attorney general, is also accused of helping develop the repressive system and ordering torture against specific people. Her lawyers sought house arrest for the 69-year-old, citing weight loss of 25 pounds, dizziness, shortness of breath and possible heart problems.

U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein denied the request. Prosecutors described Flores as an extreme flight risk and said she had been taken to a local hospital when necessary.

Maduro was Venezuela’s president from 2013 until his capture in January. He has denied wrongdoing, while the International Criminal Court has investigated allegations of crimes against humanity linked to his crackdown on opponents. Maduro and Flores could face life in prison if convicted.