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[INTERNATIONAL] · United States, Venezuela · 100 sources

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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.

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Alvin Hellerstein · Cilia Flores · New York · Nicolás Maduro · U.S. Department of Justice · United States Department of Justice · Venezuela

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