NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores pleaded not guilty Thursday to new torture charges brought against the pair held in US custody since their extraordinary capture in January.
They appeared at a New York court after prosecutors alleged they conspired to commit acts including waterboardings, rapes and beatings against victims, including American citizens, in Venezuelan detention.
Maduro, who has previously called himself a “prisoner of war”, slammed the latest charges as “false accusations” during a 35-minute hearing.
Asked by the judge how he pleaded to the indictment against him, the 63-year-old responded, “I reject this document in its entirety.”
Flores, who wore the same brown prison jumpsuit as Maduro, said: “I am completely innocent, I am not guilty.”
According to prosecutors, the couple used torture to “intimidate, harass and neutralise their opponents, including through kidnappings”.
Maduro “presided over” a system of repression and torture, while Flores helped him to develop it, according to a charging document.
In one 2022 instance, Venezuelan authorities allegedly tortured an American who they accused of plotting to assassinate Maduro.
“That torture included electric shock to arms, legs, and genitals; asphyxiation; beatings; deprivation of food and water; and forced injections of a substance that caused (the victim) to experience seizures,” a court filing states.
During his 2013-2026 presidency,...
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores pleaded not guilty Thursday to new torture charges brought against the pair held in US custody ...