Maduro Faces New Charge Over Torture of US Citizens in Venezuela

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife face a new criminal charge that they are responsible for the torture of US citizens detained in the South American country.

Prosecutors in New York filed the new criminal count Thursday, adding to existing charges that Maduro participated in a years-long conspiracy to traffic cocaine in the US.

Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, is in Manhattan federal court today, seeking to be released from jail to house arrest, claiming US prison authorities can’t adequately manage her healthcare needs.

They’ve pleaded not guilty to the previous charges. Maduro has also said he is immune from prosecution as the former leader of a sovereign nation.