Justice
The Maduro couple plead innocent to torture charges
Updated 10/15/2026 – 8:49 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The Venezuelan presidential couple were captured in a controversial operation at the beginning of the year, brought to the USA and charged, including with torture. The two now reject that.
The long-time head of state captured by the US military VenezuelaNicolás Maduro, and his wife have rejected US justice allegations of torture in court. Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores pleaded not guilty before Judge Alvin Hellerstein, US media unanimously reported. These are “false accusations,” said Maduro. Flores said, “I’m completely innocent. I’m not guilty.”
Maduro led his country in an authoritarian manner at the head of a socialist government from 2013 to 2026. In January, he and his wife were captured by US special forces in a controversial operation in the Venezuelan capital Caracas. Since then they have been held in a prison in the New York borough of Brooklyn. Critics described the action as a violation of international law.
Charge: First drug tourism, then conspiracy to torture
The USA had initially charged Maduro and his wife with allegations of “drug terrorism,” among other things. The couple also rejected this accusation. About a week ago, the accusation of conspiracy to torture was added. He refers to the unlawful detention and torture of more than a dozen U.S. citizens in Venezuelan prisons during Maduro’s time in office. The trial against the Maduros is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2027.
In Venezuela, after Maduro’s arrest, former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez took over the country’s leadership as acting president. As a result, Caracas and Washington their cooperation, particularly in the oil sector. The economy of the once prosperous country with the largest proven oil reserves in the world is suffering from mismanagement, corruption and sanctions.
