Maduro and Flores plead not guilty to torture conspiracy charge

Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to a new charge of conspiracy to commit torture at a federal court hearing in New York on October 15.

The superseding indictment was unsealed on October 8. US prosecutors allege Maduro and Flores participated in a system of repression against political opponents that included torture.

Both had previously pleaded not guilty to drug-related charges. At Thursday's hearing, Judge Alvin Hellerstein entered their not-guilty pleas on the new allegations. Maduro called the accusations false.

Acting on a joint request from the parties, the judge revised the schedule in light of the new charges. The trial is now set to begin on June 14, 2027, two weeks later than previously scheduled.