Nicolás Maduro and his wife expected to face new charges related to alleged torture of Americans

Deposed Venezuelan Nicolás Maduro and his wife could face new charges tied to the alleged torture of Americans as prosecutors fight their efforts to have their criminal case thrown out.

The additional charges are expected to be announced in Manhattan federal court, according to Fox News’ David Spunt and Jake Paronich.

U.S.

Attorney Jamie McDonald is expected to speak after a 10:30 a.m. hearing.

That hearing was scheduled to address a request by Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores de Maduro , to be released from custody because of ongoing medical problems, including a heart condition.

MADURO ALLY DEPORTED TO US OVER ALLEGED BILLION-DOLLAR CORRUPTION SCHEME TIED TO OIL, FOOD PROGRAM The expected charges would add to a case already involving allegations of cocaine trafficking , narco-terrorism and weapons offenses.

Maduro and Flores deny the allegations and have sought to dismiss the case on sovereign immunity grounds.

Federal prosecutors pushed back in a recent court filing , arguing neither defendant is entitled to that protection and that Venezuela has not asserted immunity on their behalf.

The government noted that the U.S. has not recognized Maduro as Venezuela’s head of state since January 2019.

"The defendants are former rogue officials of a formerly rogue state with no entitlement to immunity," prosecutors wrote.

THE UNLIKELY SOUTH AMERICAN ALLY HELPING LEAD TRUMP'S DRUG CARTEL CRACKDOWN They argued that foreign sovereign immunity is "a matter of grace and comity on the part of the U.S., and not a restriction imposed by the Constitution." Prosecutors also argued that the alleged cocaine trafficking, narco-terrorism and weapons offenses violated the law rather than served any legitimate government function.

Maduro’s attorneys argued in their motion that the court lacks jurisdiction because he is recognized as Venezuela’s head of state.

Flores separately filed a motion seeking dismissal on sovereign immunity grounds.

Maduro is also challenging the narco-terrorism conspiracy count .