Cilia Flores will appear before the U.S. justice system to request house arrest
The New York judicial system has set a key date in the legal process facing Cilia Flores, wife of the deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Federal Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein has scheduled a hearing for October 8th at 10:30 in the morning, with the objective of evaluating the defense’s request for the defendant to serve her pre-trial waiting period under house arrest.
Flores’ legal defense has proposed a strict security scheme to facilitate this transfer to a private residence in New York. Among the conditions offered are:
- Presence of armed guards 24 hours a day.
- Use of an electronic tracking bracelet.
- Restriction of visits.
- Monitoring and interception of their telephone communications.
- Surrender of their passport to the authorities to prevent any risk of flight.
Health arguments and conditions of confinement
The motion filed before the Southern District Court of New York emphasizes the delicate health condition of Flores, 69. According to her legal representatives, the federal jail facility where she has been held since last January 3rd lacks the infrastructure and medical equipment necessary to treat her heart conditions.
The defense maintains that the defendant has experienced critical health episodes, including arrhythmias, respiratory difficulties, and severe chest pains, in addition to a weight loss of over 24 pounds since her detention.
One of the most concerning points set forth in the court document details an incident that occurred on July 29, where Flores allegedly suffered a serious health episode. Although his lawyers have indicated that it could have been a mild heart attack, this diagnosis has not yet received official medical confirmation from the penitentiary center authorities.
Legal process context
Cilia Flores and Nicolás Maduro were captured on January 3rd during an operation executed by U.S. forces in Caracas, being subsequently transferred to New York territory. Both face formal accusations for crimes linked to drug trafficking and narcoterrorism, charges to which they have pleaded not guilty.
Judge Hellerstein’s ruling at the October hearing will be decisive for the immediate future of the defendant, while the judicial calendar keeps the start of the main trial set for June 1, 2027.
