The United States federal prosecution has denied a request for house arrest for Cilia Flores, wife of Nicolás Maduro, who has been detained in New York since January 3, 2026. This information was shared by Venezuelan attorney Nizar El Fakih through social media.
In response to the prosecution's refusal, Flores' legal team has escalated the request to the Federal Court for the Southern District of New York, overseen by Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, who will make the final decision on whether the measure is granted and under what conditions.
El Fakih highlighted that Flores' defense initially attempted to reach an agreement with prosecutors, as such pre-trial negotiations hold significant practical weight within the U.S. federal court system when a judge evaluates the request.
"Cilia Flores' defense sought to negotiate her provisional release with the prosecution. As the process was unsuccessful, her team submitted the request to the court," stated the attorney.
Health Concerns as Key Argument
The formal request for house arrest was submitted on Wednesday, emphasizing the deterioration of 69-year-old Flores' health. According to court documents cited by CNN en Español, her attorneys, Mark E. Donnelly and Andrés Sánchez, argue that she suffers from severe cardiac conditions: chest pain, arrhythmias, tachycardia, breathing difficulties, and dizziness.
On July 29, Flores experienced a "serious 30-minute episode" of intense chest pressure, which external medical advisors suggest could have been a mild heart attack.
The defense claims that she requires a catheterization and that the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, where she is held, does not provide suitable conditions for her recovery.
"Mrs. Flores de Maduro is a 69-year-old woman who will need adequate time to recover from any medical procedures in an environment conducive to recuperation. Despite the MDC staff's continuous efforts, a detention center lacks the necessary conditions for such recovery," the defense stated in the legal filing.
Challenges Faced During Detention
Since her detention, Flores has lost more than 24 pounds, suffers from reflux and gastritis, has lost two molars, and gets only three to four hours of sleep per night while sharing a cell with over 40 inmates. Her defense also disclosed that she spent her first three months in solitary confinement, during which she "could not effectively communicate with anyone except her lawyers."
According to her attorneys, Flores was "physically healthy and not on any medication" before her arrest; she is now prescribed four different medications.
Proposed Conditions for House Arrest
The proposed house arrest plan included strict surveillance: private residence in New York, 24-hour armed guard, GPS monitoring, restricted visits, monitored phone calls, surrender of all travel documents, and unannounced inspections. The defense also proposed that Flores would cover the transportation costs.
Additionally, Judge Hellerstein ordered Flores' medical history to be sealed, which had been submitted unredacted to support the request.
Flores and Maduro face charges of conspiracy to import cocaine, narco-terrorism, money laundering, and weapons-related offenses, to which both have pleaded not guilty.
The trial is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2027, with a preliminary hearing on November 17 to discuss motions to dismiss, including arguments of international immunity also presented by Flores' defense.
Key Legal and Health Challenges for Cilia Flores
What are the main reasons for Cilia Flores' request for house arrest?
The request for house arrest is primarily based on her deteriorating health, including serious cardiac issues, and the claim that the Metropolitan Detention Center lacks adequate conditions for her recovery.
Why did the defense escalate the request to the Federal Court?
The defense took the request to the Federal Court after failing to reach an agreement with the prosecution, as pre-trial negotiations hold considerable influence in the judge's decision-making process.
What charges do Cilia Flores and Nicolás Maduro face?
They are charged with conspiracy to import cocaine, narco-terrorism, money laundering, and weapons-related offenses, to which they have pleaded not guilty.
When is the trial for Cilia Flores scheduled?
The trial is set for June 1, 2027, with a preliminary hearing on November 17, 2026, to address motions to dismiss.