Maduro and wife plead not guilty to US torture conspiracy charges

Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores entered a not-guilty plea in US federal court to charges of conspiring to torture political opponents, a development in an ongoing criminal case. The plea follows a recent indictment and coincides with reported US-Venezuela debt restructuring talks, adding legal and diplomatic complexity. The outcome is uncertain, but the case signals continued US pressure on the deposed leader.