Federal prosecutors are preparing to file additional charges against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, with the new allegations expected to be announced as soon as Thursday, 8 October, according to . The fresh charges will accuse the couple of involvement in the torture of American citizens who were unlawfully imprisoned in Venezuelan detention facilities during Maduro's presidency.
On 3 January, US forces conducted a nighttime operation at the couple's residence in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, and transported both Maduro and Flores to New York. They now face prosecution on charges related to alleged weapons trafficking and narcotics offences, which they have denied. Additional individuals may also be charged in connection with the torture of more than a dozen Americans who were wrongfully held by the Venezuelan government under Maduro's rule.
Maduro's legal representative, Barry Pollack, stated to media outlets that he had not received advance notification regarding any forthcoming charges. Flores, who is currently facing drug trafficking and weapons charges, is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in Manhattan on Thursday, 8 October, for a bond hearing where her legal team is expected to request house arrest as a condition of release.
What are the existing charges?
The US government has charged Maduro with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine-importation conspiracy, and possession of and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices. According to prosecutors' allegations, the existing indictment describes a scheme to import thousands of tons of cocaine into the United States while enriching Maduro, his family members and senior Venezuelan government officials. Maduro and 14 others were initially indicted in 2020 during the first Trump administration.
Flores faces separate charges: cocaine-importation and weapons offences, but is not charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy as Maduro is. Prosecutors have alleged that Maduro, his wife, their son and their associates engaged in a cocaine-trafficking conspiracy and formed partnerships with cartels that have been designated as terrorist organisations. The prosecution contends that the accused
abused their positions of public trust and corrupted once-legitimate institutions to import tons of cocaine into the United States.
What is Maduro's legal defence?
Maduro's defence team has signalled its intention to seek dismissal of the charges on the basis of head-of-state immunity, arguing that he should be protected from prosecution for actions taken while serving as president. This immunity argument will be examined at a pretrial hearing scheduled for 17 November. Maduro has previously characterised the charges as a mechanism to advance what he calls
imperialobjectives aimed at gaining control of Venezuela's substantial oil reserves.
What happens next in the case?
Flores is due to appear in Manhattan federal court on Thursday, 8 October, for her bond hearing. A pretrial hearing on Maduro's motions, including his immunity defence, is scheduled for 17 November. The trial for both Maduro and Flores is set to commence on 1 June 2027.
Key Facts:
- New torture charges against Maduro and Flores are expected to be announced on or before Thursday, 8 October
- Both were captured in a US military raid on 3 January and transported to New York to face existing weapons and drug trafficking charges
- Flores faces a bond hearing on Thursday, 8 October; her lawyers will seek house arrest
- Maduro's defence plans to argue head-of-state immunity at a pretrial hearing on 17 November
- The trial is scheduled to begin on 1 June 2027
