Washington Considers Charging Maduro and His Wife with Torturing Americans

US network CNN reported that the US Department of Justice is considering bringing new charges against ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, related to the torture of US citizens during their detention in Venezuela under his rule.

The network, on Wednesday, quoted sources familiar with the investigation as saying the potential charges are linked to the arbitrary detention of more than 12 Americans, noting that prosecutors are also considering charges against other individuals suspected of involvement in the torture of detainees.

According to CNN, the new charges could be announced on Thursday. The US Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request from Agence France-Presse for comment on this information.

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Maduro, 63, and his wife already face charges of smuggling drugs into the United States, which they deny. The ousted Venezuelan president describes himself as a “prisoner of war.”