Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are expected to face new criminal charges in the United States relating to alleged torture of Americans held in Venezuela, according to U.S. officials cited by multiple outlets. The possible additional charges are linked to proceedings already underway in Manhattan court.
Reports say Maduro and Flores are in U.S. custody after being captured by the U.S. military from their homes in Caracas on January 3 and brought to New York, where they face drug-trafficking charges. While outlets agree that further torture-related charges are expected imminently, CBS News reports that an attorney for Maduro says he has not been given notice that additional charges could be coming. Other outlets describe the charges as expected to be filed as soon as Thursday, reflecting differences in how quickly the next step is communicated or confirmed.
Overall, the coverage focuses on the anticipated expansion of the U.S. case beyond drug trafficking to include alleged abuse of Americans, and on the procedural posture around whether the defense has been formally notified.
