US adds new torture charges against former Venezuelan president Maduro

US authorities have added new torture charges to their case against former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, ramping up pressure on the ousted authoritarian leader already

fighting drug trafficking allegations.

Outside a US District Court for the Southern District of New York US Attorney James M. McDonald said they had unsealed a superseding indictment charging Nicolas Maduro and his

wife Celia Flores de Maduro with a broad conspiracy to commit torture including to US citizens, Venezuelans and others who oppose their regime.

McDonald said thousands of Venezuelans and some Americans were tortured to ensure that Maduro and Flores held onto power.

Maduro and his wife are already charged with participating in a conspiracy to send cocaine into the US.