Maduro Faces New Torture Allegations

U.S. prosecutors unveiled new criminal charges Thursday against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, according to the Associated Press, carried by PBS FRONTLINE. Prosecutors accuse the couple of overseeing a state-backed system of repression involving beatings, asphyxiation and electric shocks.

The Washington Sun reports that the updated indictment describes nine unnamed victims, including Americans. AP reports that the indictment describes three American alleged torture victims. These are criminal allegations, not findings of guilt.

AP said a message seeking comment was sent to Maduro’s lawyer. Flores’ attorney said he had not yet had time to review the new allegations. AP also reported that Maduro has denied wrongdoing, and that the couple’s lawyers have sought dismissal of their existing U.S. drug case on immunity grounds.