Cilia Flores (often called “Cilita”), the wife of Nicolás Maduro and a formidable political figure in her own right. Following the dramatic U.S. military intervention in Caracas on January 3, 2026, she was captured alongside her husband and transported to the United States.
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Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Cilia Adela Flores de Maduro |
| Born | October 15, 1956, Tinaquillo, Venezuela |
| Title | First Lady of Venezuela (2013–2026); “First Combatant” |
| Former Office | President of the National Assembly (2006–2011) |
| Current Status | In U.S. Federal Custody (since Jan 3, 2026) |
| Current Charge | Narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracy. |
January 2026: Capture and Arraignment
While often viewed as a supportive spouse, Flores’s role as a “behind-the-scenes strategist” has made her a primary target of U.S. legal action.
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The Extraction (Jan 3, 2026): During “Operation Absolute Resolve,” U.S. Delta Force units captured Flores and Maduro at a secure compound in Caracas. Reports from her legal team on January 6, 2026, alleged that she suffered “significant injuries” during the abduction, including a fracture and heavy bruising, which necessitated a bandage on her forehead during her initial court appearance.
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New York Court Appearance (Jan 5, 2026): Flores appeared in a Manhattan federal court alongside her husband. Both entered “not guilty” pleas to charges of participating in a narco-terrorism conspiracy. She is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn.
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The Indictment: U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi confirmed that Flores was specifically indicted for her alleged role in coordinating illicit activities and leveraging her institutional power—including her past roles as Attorney General and President of the Assembly—to protect the Cartel de los Soles.
The “First Combatant”
Unlike traditional First Ladies, Flores insisted on the title “Primera Combatiente” (First Combatant), reflecting her identity as a revolutionary soldier of Chavismo.
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Chávez’s Defender: She first rose to fame as the lead lawyer for Hugo Chávez after his failed 1992 coup. She is credited with successfully lobbying for his amnesty in 1994, which allowed his eventual rise to the presidency.
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Institutional Power: Before Maduro became president, Flores held higher office than he did, serving as the first female President of the National Assembly. Critics often accused her of nepotism, claiming she filled dozens of parliamentary positions with her relatives.
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The “Narcosobrinos” Incident: Her family has long been in the DEA’s sights. In 2015, two of her nephews were arrested in Haiti and later convicted in New York for drug trafficking. While they were released in a 2022 prisoner swap, their case laid the groundwork for the 2026 indictment against Flores herself.
2026 Outlook: A High-Stakes Trial
As of January 11, 2026, Flores is awaiting the start of discovery in what is being called the “Trial of the Decade” in New York.
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The Defense: Her attorney, Mark Donnelly, has signaled that the defense will focus on the “illegality of the abduction” and the lack of physical evidence directly linking her personal finances to drug shipments.
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The “Prince” Responds: On January 5, 2026, her and Maduro’s son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra (nicknamed “The Prince”), released an emotional video from Caracas stating that “the country is in good hands” under acting president Delcy Rodríguez and vowing to “bring the parents home.”