Defense lawyers for Cilia Flores, wife of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, have requested her release from custody due to heart-related medical conditions.
Key facts
- •Cilia Flores' defense team requested house arrest due to her need for heart medication and nitroglycerin.
- •Flores underwent heart surgery before being removed from Venezuela.
- •The couple faces charges in the U.S. for alleged involvement in drug trafficking.
- •Judge Alvin Hellerstein set the trial date for June 1, 2027.
- •Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s authorized president on January 6.
Defense representatives for Cilia Flores, the wife of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, have filed a motion in the federal court for the Southern District of New York requesting her release from custody. The motion cites ongoing heart problems, noting that Flores requires daily medication and must carry nitroglycerin to prevent a potential heart attack.
Medical grounds for release
According to the motion reviewed by TASS, Flores underwent heart surgery prior to her capture and removal from Venezuela. Her legal team argues that her current health status warrants replacing her imprisonment with house arrest, asserting that she does not pose a threat to society.
Legal proceedings and background
Flores and her husband were taken into custody following a January 3 attack on civilian and military facilities in Caracas. On January 5, the couple appeared before the U.S. Federal Court for the Southern District of New York to face charges of alleged involvement in drug trafficking, to which they have both pleaded not guilty. Judge Alvin Hellerstein has scheduled the start of their trial for June 1, 2027.
Timeline
- January 3The United States attacked civilian and military facilities in Caracas, leading to the capture of Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores.
- January 5The couple appeared in a U.S. federal court to face drug trafficking charges.
- January 6Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as the authorized president of Venezuela.
- June 1, 2027The trial for the Maduro and Flores case is scheduled to begin.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by TASS (English).
