Cilia Adela Flores de Maduro, aged 69, who stands as a co-defendant alongside Nicolás Maduro in a federal case in the Southern District of New York, has requested her release on bail or home confinement. Her defense cites serious cardiac conditions that allegedly endanger her life while she is detained awaiting trial.
The request is supported by an affidavit submitted to Judge Alvin Hellerstein by Louis J. Milione, a former DEA special agent with 23 years of service and now the president of Investigations at Guidepost Solutions, a private security firm based in New York, as reported by AP journalist Joshua Goodman.
Court documents reveal that Flores has experienced chest pain, arrhythmias, and breathing difficulties during her incarceration at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, along with a weight loss of over 11 kilograms.
Health Concerns and Proposed Bail Conditions
A stress test conducted on April 23 was halted due to chest pressure and shortness of breath. External specialists consulted by her defense suggest she may have suffered a mild heart attack, though this diagnosis has not been officially confirmed.
Under the proposed bail agreement, Guidepost Solutions would provide armed supervision and continuous monitoring of Flores at a residence within the Southern District of New York, with its exact location kept confidential for security reasons.
Milione's affidavit explains that the company would install video cameras, door and window sensors, and maintain armed guards around the clock.
Security Measures and Legal Opposition
"Guidepost will implement security measures in and around the residence, including video cameras and sensors and alarms on doors and windows. Security professionals from Guidepost inside and outside the residence will have constant access to live and recorded video feeds, provided to the Government," the document states.
The statement also emphasizes that Flores would have no control over the company's personnel or operations: "No Guidepost employee will take instructions from the defendant."
Guidepost Solutions, founded and led by former federal prosecutors, including several from the Southern District of New York, employs numerous former Secret Service, DEA, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and New York Police Department agents.
Despite the proposal, the Southern District of New York's prosecutors oppose releasing Flores on bail.
Previous Health Alerts and Legal Proceedings
Her health has previously raised concerns during the legal process. In March 2026, her attorney, Mark Donnelly, alerted Judge Hellerstein about a mitral valve prolapse and secured permission for an electrocardiogram.
In response, the judge instructed the legal team to proceed with the necessary arrangements for her examination and requested updates if any issues arose during the process.
Flores and Maduro were apprehended in Caracas on January 3, 2026, in a military operation ordered by President Donald Trump and were subsequently transferred to New York, where they pleaded not guilty before Judge Hellerstein two days later.
The charges against Flores include conspiracy to import cocaine and weapons-related offenses, which carry potential life sentences.
The trial is scheduled for June 2027, with defense motions expected this September and classified material to be provided by the Government in November 2026.
Key Legal and Health Concerns in Flores' Case
What health issues is Cilia Flores experiencing?
Cilia Flores has been experiencing chest pain, arrhythmias, difficulty breathing, and significant weight loss. There is also a possibility that she suffered a mild heart attack, although this is not officially confirmed.
What are the charges against Cilia Flores?
Cilia Flores faces charges of conspiracy to import cocaine and weapons-related offenses, which could result in life sentences if convicted.
How has the court responded to Flores' health condition?
The court allowed her lawyer to arrange an electrocardiogram after being informed of her heart condition. The judge requested updates should any difficulties arise in conducting the examination.