Cilia Flores, the wife of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, is seeking to be released from prison to await her trial under house arrest due to a cardiac condition. Flores’ lawyers, Mark Donnelly and Andres Sanchez, wrote in court documents that she deserves the opportunity to await her trial under house arrest as she deals with a cardiac condition that has worsened since her incarceration.
According to the court documents, Flores has been living with a mitral valve prolapse for years, but has not received the necessary monthly injection to control the condition since her arrest. Instead, she has been prescribed aspirin, a statin, diltiazem, and nitroglycerin as needed for chest pains.
Flores’ lawyers have requested that she be released from a federal prison in Brooklyn to a residence within the federal judicial district of Manhattan, where she and Maduro are set to stand trial in June. The residence would be monitored by video and her phone calls would be recorded, with only approved visitors allowed.
The prosecutors have not yet responded to the request, and a spokesperson for the federal prosecutor’s office in Manhattan declined to comment. Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein has not yet ruled on the request.
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Maduro Arrest Details
They were captured by US armed forces at their residence in Caracas in early January and brought to New York City. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which they claim were part of a plan to send cocaine to the US.
In a separate court filing, they recently requested that the indictment be dismissed, arguing that they have immunity as the ruler and first lady of a foreign country. Flores’ lawyers argued that she needs to undergo a cardiac catheterization, which could lead to additional procedures, and would require adequate time to recover in a suitable environment.
The medical staff at the jail has been extremely respectful to her and her husband, and Flores does not question that she has received excellent care from medical professionals at the jail and hospital, her lawyers wrote. However, they argued that a detention center lacks the necessary conditions for this type of recovery.
Flores has constantly suffered from reflux and gastritis, lost two molars, and lost over 11 kilograms since her arrest. Her lawyers stated that she needs a suitable environment to recover from any potential procedures, and that her current condition is not suitable for the necessary care.
The request for house arrest is pending, and it is unclear when the judge will make a decision. In the meantime, Flores remains in jail, awaiting her trial and struggling with her cardiac condition.
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Upcoming Trial Details
The trial of Cilia Flores and Nicolás Maduro is set to begin in June, and it is expected to be a high-profile case. The couple’s lawyers have argued that they have immunity, but the prosecution is expected to argue that they do not.
As the trial approaches, Flores’ health concerns remain a pressing issue. Her lawyers have argued that she needs to be released from jail to receive proper care, but the prosecution has not yet responded to the request.
Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein’s decision will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the upcoming trial.
Flores’ health is a major concern.
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