Maduro and wife expected to face charges for torture of Americans in Venezuela
American prosecutors are preparing new charges against Nicolás Maduro and his wife for alleged torture of American citizens. The Copenhagen Post reports.
New charges against Maduro: torture of Americans during detention in Venezuela
American prosecutors are preparing further charges against former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife for alleged torture of American citizens during their detention in Venezuela, according to The Copenhagen Post.
CNN reported on the matter citing several unnamed sources with knowledge of the investigation. Reuters also confirmed that new charges were expected, according to an unnamed American official.
Prosecutors in New York could make the charges public as early as Thursday, according to CNN. A spokesman for the Manhattan District Attorney declined to comment on the matter.
Maduro and his wife were arrested by American special forces at their home in Caracas in early January. They already face charges in New York, including for complicity in smuggling several tonnes of cocaine into the United States. Both have pleaded not guilty and await trial.
Maduro was Venezuela's president from 2013 until he was removed from power in 2026. American authorities believe that several Americans were unlawfully imprisoned in Venezuela during his presidency and allegedly subjected to torture, according to CNN.
The expected new charges will expand the ongoing criminal case against Maduro and his wife in New York.
Following Maduro's departure, his former vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, assumed the position of Venezuela's acting leader. Rodríguez has since strengthened cooperation with President Donald Trump's administration, particularly within the energy sector.
Trump has openly indicated his intention to give American companies increased access to Venezuela's oil resources. Venezuela has approximately one-fifth of the world's oil reserves, but accounts for less than one per cent of global oil production.
In August, Washington and Caracas announced an oil deal intended to increase American oil reserves whilst providing the Venezuelan economy with billions of dollars in investment.
Source: The Copenhagen Post