Maduro and wife plead not guilty to US torture charges

Summary

On Friday, Nicolas Maduro rejected newly unsealed torture allegations against him and his wife, Cilia Flores, calling them false accusations, Sky News reports. The ousted Venezuelan president and Flores pleaded not guilty Thursday to a new US indictment accusing them of conspiring to torture political opponents and US citizens, according to France 24; RTÉ also reports the pleas. Deutsche Welle says the charges accuse the pair of leading a state-sponsored repression campaign that tortured scores of victims during Maduro’s presidency from 2013 to 2026. The Globe and Mail notes they had previously pleaded not guilty to charges alleging they abused their power to help drug traffickers ship cocaine.

Timeline

1. The Globe and Mail

   15 Oct 2026, 16:59 UTCSource ↗

   The Globe and Mail reports that Maduro and Flores had previously pleaded not guilty to charges alleging they abused their power to help drug traffickers ship cocaine.

2. RTÉ

   15 Oct 2026, 17:27 UTCSource ↗

   RTÉ reports that Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to a new US indictment accusing them of conspiring to torture political opponents.

3. France 24

   15 Oct 2026, 18:11 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to new US charges accusing them of conspiring to torture political opponents and US citizens, and called the allegations false.

4. Deutsche Welle

   15 Oct 2026, 18:55 UTCSource ↗

   Deutsche Welle reports that the charges accuse Maduro and his wife of leading a state-sponsored repression campaign that tortured scores of victims during his presidency from 2013 to 2026.

5. Sky News

   16 Oct 2026, 09:00 UTCSource ↗

   Sky News reports that Maduro rejected newly unsealed torture allegations against him and his wife as false accusations.