Nicolás Maduro, the former president of Venezuela, appeared in a New York court on Thursday to address new allegations of torture outlined in a revised drug trafficking indictment against him and his wife, Cilia Flores. Maduro, who was brought to court in shackles, asserted that the accusations were "false accusations."
Court Appearance and Charges
During the court session, Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein entered a not-guilty plea on behalf of both Maduro and Flores. The couple was apprehended by U.S. military forces during a nighttime raid at their home in Caracas in January.
Maduro, responding to the judge's request to enter a plea, criticized the indictment, stating it contained "false accusations and false testimony." He spoke through an interpreter, emphasizing his denial of the charges.
Allegations of Torture
The revised indictment alleges that Maduro led a state-sponsored campaign of repression that involved the torture of numerous victims, including three Americans. Specific accusations against him include:
- Overseeing a violent torture system that involved beating, asphyxiation, and electric shocks.
- Personally recommending torture methods and receiving updates on the treatment of specific victims.
- Threatening to kill the child of one prisoner as a form of psychological torture.
