Maduro and Flores face new federal torture charges

U.S. prosecutors filed new charges against Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores for an alleged conspiracy to commit torture. Each faces one additional count, according to an indictment filed Thursday, October 8, in Manhattan federal court.

The filing covers opposition figures, military personnel and U.S. citizens who were detained in Venezuela. Prosecutors describe alleged practices including electric shocks, beatings and threats, as well as pressure against detainees' relatives.

The indictment adds to the U.S. case both face for drug-trafficking and weapons-related offenses. The source also says the case expands narcoterrorism-related charges and adds Flores to a cocaine-distribution conspiracy count.