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Broken Teeth and Pepper Spray: Maduro's Wife Seeks Release From Jail
- Nicolás Maduro
- Venezuela
- Cilia Flores
- United States
- New York City
- Caracas
- Flores
- CNN
What happened
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan added a conspiracy-to-commit-torture charge on Oct. 8 against ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. They are accused of torturing opponents, including Americans, to hold power. The same day, a judge denied Flores' request to leave a Brooklyn jail for house arrest because of heart problems.
Summary
Cilia Flores, 69, has been held in a Brooklyn federal jail since U.S. forces captured her and Maduro in Caracas on January 3. Her lawyers say she has lost two teeth, dropped 25 pounds and seen her heart condition get worse. Jail doctors recommended a cardiac catheterization, in which a tube is threaded through blood vessels into the heart. Her lawyers asked that she recover under house arrest in a private home with armed guards around the clock. Prosecutors said she had refused tests unless she was released and was trying to use her wealth to get special treatment. Judge Alvin Hellerstein denied bail, citing her "considerable funds" and the "serious allegations." [9] [10] [12]
Minutes before that hearing, prosecutors unsealed a 30-page updated indictment charging the couple with conspiracy to commit torture. It says that from at least 1999 through 2025 they and senior officials used security forces to punish opponents and silence dissent. Prosecutors list electric shock, asphyxiation, rape, starvation, prolonged isolation and threats against victims' families, including children. FBI Director Kash Patel said more than a dozen Americans were tortured. The indictment says Maduro once told officials to "squeeze them harder" about a defiant prisoner. The couple already face narco-terrorism, cocaine and weapons charges, to which they have pleaded not guilty. [1] [4] [6] [7] [10] [11]
Maduro's lawyer, Barry Pollack, told Newsweek that Maduro "denies the charges in the new indictment and looks forward to his day in court." The judge let Flores delay her arraignment on the new count, since her lawyers received the indictment that morning. Trial is set for June 2027, though former prosecutor David Weinstein told Newsweek he suspects the new charge will push it back. The couple's lawyers have also asked the judge to dismiss the case, arguing that as heads of state they are shielded from prosecution in U.S. courts. Hellerstein has not yet ruled. [1] [6] [7] [9] [10]
Summary written by Vox Populi News from the 12 sources below. See all sources
Key questions
Why did the judge keep Cilia Flores in jail?
Judge Alvin Hellerstein denied her bail request, noting she had access to "considerable funds" and calling the charges "serious allegations." Prosecutors had argued she refused diagnostic tests unless released and was seeking special treatment. [9] [10]
What are the new charges against Maduro and his wife?
They are charged with conspiracy to commit torture, accused of overseeing a system that abused detainees, including U.S. citizens, with methods such as electric shock, asphyxiation, rape and starvation. That count is added to existing narco-terrorism, cocaine and weapons charges. [7] [10] [11]
Sources 12
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1The New York TimesRead on The New York Times (opens in a new tab)
Maduro Charged With Ordering Torture of Americans in Venezuelan Prison
Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, jailed and tortured Americans and others in Venezuela to hang onto power, prosecutors said.
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2AolRead on Aol (opens in a new tab)
Venezuela's Maduro to face new US charges over alleged torture of Americans, official says
By Andrew Goudsward and Luc Cohen WASHINGTON, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are expected to face new criminal charges in the US over the…
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3Fox NewsRead on Fox News (opens in a new tab)
Nicolás Maduro and his wife expected to face new charges related to alleged torture of Americans
The former Venezuelan president and his wife already pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
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4New York PostRead on New York Post (opens in a new tab)
Ex-Venezuela dictator Nicolás Maduro, wife accused of conspiring to torture Americans
Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have been hit with fresh federal charges stemming from the alleged torture of Americans jailed in the South American country.
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5USA TodayRead on USA Today (opens in a new tab)
Nicolás Maduro, wife face new charges of conspiring to torture
U.S. officials brought new torture charges against deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, alleging that the pair employed torture and other abuse to secure subservience…
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6Washington PostRead on Washington Post (opens in a new tab)
U.S. officials charge Maduro, wife with torturing dissidents
The Justice Department charged deposed Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife with torturing prisoners, adding to the list of federal counts that the former South American leader and his…
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7NewsweekRead on Newsweek (opens in a new tab)
Maduro, wife face new torture charges. Here's what it means for their case
The criminal case against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and former first lady Cilia Flores expanded Thursday dramatically after U.S.
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8The Wall Street JournalRead on The Wall Street Journal (opens in a new tab)
U.S. Prosecutors Bring Torture Charge Against Nicolás Maduro
U.S. prosecutors charged deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores with conspiring to commit torture.View more Nicolás Maduro and his wife were charged with conspiring to…
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9Business InsiderRead on Business Insider (opens in a new tab)
Nicolás Maduro's wife wants out of jail because her doctors have recommended a heart procedure
In a jail in Brooklyn, Cilia Flores -- the ousted first lady of Venezuela -- has not been feeling well. She has lost two teeth. Her weight has dropped by 25 pounds.
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10CBS NewsRead on CBS News (opens in a new tab)
Nicolas Maduro, wife face torture charge in new U.S. indictment
Nicole Sganga is CBS News' homeland security and justice correspondent. She is based in Washington, D.C., and reports for all shows and platforms.
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11POLITICORead on POLITICO (opens in a new tab)
US adds new torture allegations to Maduro case
Federal prosecutors have charged deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife with conspiracy to commit torture, accusing the pair of deploying brutal tactics against detainees in Venezuela…
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12HuffPostRead on HuffPost (opens in a new tab)
Venezuela's Maduro To Face New U.S. Charges Over Alleged Torture Of Americans, Official Says
Washington accused his government of detaining Americans as leverage to extract concessions such as relief from financial sanctions.
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