Cilia Flores Requests Home Confinement Citing Heart Condition

Cilia Flores, the wife of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, has requested release from a Brooklyn federal jail to home confinement in Manhattan due to a worsening heart condition. Her legal team, including lawyer Mark Donnelly, filed court documents on Wednesday stating that the 69 year old requires cardiac treatment and recovery facilities that a detention center cannot provide. The lawyers claim Flores may have suffered a minor heart attack on July 29 and currently requires multiple medications and potential surgery for mitral valve prolapse. To ensure her appearance at trial, the defense proposed 24 hour armed surveillance, electronic monitoring, and recorded communications.

Flores and Maduro, 63, were seized from their home in Caracas by US forces on January 3 and brought to New York. They are currently awaiting trial on charges related to drug trafficking and weapons. Both Maduro and Flores deny the allegations. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein has not yet ruled on the request, and federal prosecutors have not yet filed a response.

Recent reports also highlight the first photos of Maduro from detention, which he shared on social media to tell supporters he remains steadfast. The images, dated June 25, show him in a grey tracksuit appearing to have lost weight. Outlets with a center left lean describe the US military operation as an abduction or invasion, while outlets with a center right lean describe the event as a raid or seizure.