Venezuela’s former first lady Cilia Flores has requested a federal judge allow her to await trial outside of jail, citing a worsening heart condition while she and her husband, ex-President Nicolás Maduro, face U.S. drug-trafficking charges.
A filing by her attorneys on Wednesday asked Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein to grant Flores home confinement in a Manhattan residence under strict conditions. Her lawyers, Mark Donnelly and Andres Sanchez, argued she deserves the opportunity to await trial while on home confinement due to her medical needs. The proposed home would be under 24-hour armed surveillance, with visits and communications restricted and monitored by video and recordings.
Federal prosecutors have not yet responded to the request. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan declined to comment. The judge has not issued a ruling.
Medical and Legal Context
Flores’ attorneys stated her health has deteriorated since her January arrest in a nighttime raid on their Caracas home, where U.S. forces captured the couple and transported them to New York. Her lawyers described her condition as requiring urgent cardiac testing and potential surgery, including a recommended cardiac catheterization. They noted she has been prescribed multiple medications, including one for potential heart attacks, and has not received her monthly injection for mitral valve prolapse since incarceration.
The couple is scheduled to stand trial in June 2025 on charges including conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns, and destructive devices. Maduro also faces a narco-terrorism conspiracy charge. Both have pleaded not guilty and are held at a Brooklyn federal jail. If convicted, they face potential life sentences.
In a separate filing last week, the couple’s legal team argued for the dismissal of the indictment, claiming they are immune from prosecution.
Strict Conditions Proposed for Home Confinement
Flores’ proposed home confinement arrangement includes:
- 24-hour armed surveillance
- Visitors restricted to those approved by the court and federal prosecutors
- Video monitoring of the residence
- Recorded phone calls
Her attorneys emphasized these measures would ensure her compliance with court orders while addressing her medical needs. The prosecution has not yet filed a response to the request.