United States prosecutors have brought fresh charges against Venezuela's former leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, accusing them of conspiracy to commit torture, according to BBC News.

The new accusations, made public on Thursday, add to existing drug-trafficking and weapons charges that the couple has previously denied. According to BBC News, the 63-year-old former leader and his 69-year-old wife have been held in a Brooklyn detention centre since January, following a pre-dawn raid by US forces on their compound in Caracas.

Key Facts

According to BBC News, the superseding indictment unsealed on Thursday alleges that the couple entrenched themselves in power by presiding over a system of repression involving political violence, arbitrary detention, and torture.

The indictment states that the alleged torture methods included electric shock, asphyxiation, rape, forced nudity, prolonged isolation, starvation, punishment cells, and psychological torture, such as threats to kill victims' families and children. The charges specifically relate to the alleged torture of United States citizens held in Venezuela during Maduro's time in power, as reported by BBC News.

Prosecutors further allege, according to BBC News, that Cilia Flores played a key role in developing this repressive system, ordering torture and receiving updates on specific prisoners to protect family members involved in illegal activities.

Background

Human rights groups in Venezuela and former prisoners have long denounced what they describe as systematic torture in Venezuelan jails, BBC News reported. BBC Mundo previously spoke with Javier Tarazona, head of a Venezuelan human rights group, who described being held in a tiny punishment cell for 46 days alongside his brother. Another former inmate, Ángel Godoy, was also mentioned in the source material.

Why it matters

The case highlights international legal actions involving high-ranking foreign figures and underscores global discussions surrounding human rights, state repression, and the treatment of detainees held by foreign governments.

What's next

According to BBC News, the trial for both Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores is scheduled to begin in June 2027.