Nicolás Maduro faces new accusations in the United States for alleged torture and other crimes related to human rights violations during his mandate, the agency reported this Thursday, October 8. AP.
The new formal accusation, made public this Thursday, expands the charges that Maduro already faces in the United States for an alleged conspiracy to send cocaine to the North American country.
According to APUS authorities have now incorporated allegations related to human rights abuses committed during the Maduro government in Venezuela.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, remain detained in a prison in Brooklyn, New York.
Flores and Maduro were captured in the early hours of January 3, at Fort Tiuna, by special agents of the United States Army.
Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges they face in the criminal case, which began years ago and also involves other alleged co-conspirators. If convicted, they already faced the possibility of a life sentence.
While Flores, 69, was scheduled to appear this Thursday in federal court in New York. Her lawyers are seeking to have her released from prison and transferred to house arrest due to heart problems.
According to the information of APFlores’ defense maintains that her medical conditions cannot be adequately treated while she remains incarcerated.
His lawyers have proposed that Maduro’s wife comply with the measure in a residence in New York, under 24-hour surveillance.
The defense of Maduro and Flores has also requested that the criminal process be dismissed under the argument that both enjoy immunity due to their status as head of state and first lady of a foreign country.
However, the United States does not recognize Maduro as the winner of the 2024 elections, therefore he would not have immunity as head of state.
