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Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores plead not guilty to new torture charges
Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared before a federal court in Manhattan to enter pleas regarding expanded criminal charges. The U.S. Department of Justice has added charges of conspiracy to commit torture, alleging the couple directed a repressive system that targeted political opponents and military personnel, including three U.S. citizens. Additionally, the indictment extended narco-terrorism charges to Flores, who previously was not facing that specific charge.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the new allegations. Maduro characterized the charges as false accusations and fabricated testimony, while Flores stated she is completely innocent. The couple, who were captured in Caracas by U.S. forces in January 2026 and transferred to New York, remain in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
Judge Alvin Hellerstein has rescheduled the start of the trial to June 14, 2027, to allow the defense more time to prepare and to address motions regarding sovereign immunity. If convicted on all counts, including cocaine importation and weapons conspiracy, the pair faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 50 years in prison.
Entities
Alvin Hellerstein · Cilia Flores · New York · Nicolás Maduro · U.S. Department of Justice · United States Department of Justice · Venezuela
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] Alleged conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine to provide economic value to terrorist-related organizations. confidencialhn.com · comunicacioncontinua.com · cerolatitud.ec
- [● 13 SOURCES] The trial is scheduled to begin in June 2027. confidencialhn.com · comunicacioncontinua.com · hondurasalinstante.com · diariodelnorte.net · www.karsmanset.com · +4 more
- [● 23 SOURCES] Alleged the Maduro government used a strategy of repression and torture against opponents, military members, and detainees, including three U.S. citizens. confidencialhn.com · ch23.com · comunicacioncontinua.com · cubanosporelmundo.com · cronicadecantabria.com · +8 more
- [● 26 SOURCES] Maduro and Flores were captured in Caracas on January 3, 2026. confidencialhn.com · ch23.com · comunicacioncontinua.com · cubanosporelmundo.com · cronicadecantabria.com · +10 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] U.S. authorities extended narco-terrorism charges to Cilia Flores. confidencialhn.com · comunicacioncontinua.com · cerolatitud.ec · diariodelnorte.net · www.calibre800.com · +3 more
- [DISPUTED] Scheduled a court hearing in New York for October 15 at 11:00 AM for Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores. confidencialhn.com · ch23.com · comunicacioncontinua.com · cubanosporelmundo.com · cronicadecantabria.com · +5 more
- [● 30 SOURCES] Added charges of conspiracy to commit torture against both Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores. confidencialhn.com · ch23.com · comunicacioncontinua.com · cubanosporelmundo.com · cronicadecantabria.com · +14 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] Accused the pair of conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States. confidencialhn.com · comunicacioncontinua.com · canaltro.com · diariodelnorte.net · hondurasalinstante.com · +6 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The defense has requested house arrest for Cilia Flores due to her cardiac health condition. precision.com.do · lanoticiasv.com · primermomento.com
- [DISPUTED] Judge Alvin Hellerstein rescheduled the trial to begin on June 14, 2027. ch23.com · comunicacioncontinua.com · cubanosporelmundo.com · confidencialhn.com · cronicadecantabria.com · +20 more
- [● 24 SOURCES] Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores pleaded not guilty to the new torture charges in a New York court. www.karsmanset.com · notifalcon.com · lanoticiasv.com · lineadirectaportal.com · n.com.do · +19 more
- [● 36 SOURCES] U.S. prosecutors allege Maduro and Flores conspired to commit torture against political opponents and detainees. comunicacioncontinua.com · cubanosporelmundo.com · hondurasalinstante.com · www.karsmanset.com · n1info.rs · +31 more