Maduro’s Wife Seeks Release from U.S. Detention Over Health Concerns

Venezuela's former first lady faces court as her lawyers request house arrest due to health issues.

October 8, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — New York, United States — Cilia Flores, the former first lady of Venezuela and wife of ex-President Nicolás Maduro, is set to appear in court this Thursday, where her legal team will ask for her release from a New York jail due to severe health complications.

Flores and Maduro were arrested in January after a midnight raid at their Caracas residence, following a criminal case that dates back six years. Both have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring to smuggle cocaine into the United States, which could result in life imprisonment if convicted.

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Her attorneys have argued that she should be placed under house arrest due to medical concerns, including heart-related symptoms and weight loss. Prosecutors, however, have opposed the request, citing potential risks of flight and public danger. The couple’s legal team has also claimed she suffered injuries during the U.S. operation that led to her capture.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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