WASHINGTON — The Justice Department announced Thursday a superseding indictment charging former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros and former First Lady Cilia Adela Flores de Maduro with conspiring to commit torture, narcoterrorism, a cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons offenses.
The announcement, issued by the department’s Office of Public Affairs on Oct. 8, said the superseding indictment was returned in federal court.
The charges follow the capture and arrest of Maduro and Flores in January 2026, according to the Justice Department.
The announcement included statements from Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel condemning the alleged conduct.
A superseding indictment replaces an earlier indictment, allowing prosecutors to add charges or defendants as a case develops. The torture-conspiracy count alleges a plot to inflict severe physical or mental suffering, a crime under U.S. federal law. The charges, if proven, could carry lengthy federal prison sentences.
As with all indictments, the charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Maduro was previously charged by the Justice Department in 2020 with narcoterrorism conspiracy. The United States does not recognize him as Venezuela’s legitimate president.
