Through Tears, Venezuelan First Lady Cilia Flores Describes Injuries After Arrest

During her recent court appearance in New York, Cilia Flores, the wife of deposed Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, appeared visibly emotional as she and her legal team discussed injuries she sustained during her capture earlier this year. Her attorney told a federal judge that Flores suffered significant wounds, including bruising and possible rib trauma, when U.S. forces arrested her and Maduro during a military operation in Venezuela on January 3. Flores appeared wearing bandages and has been seeking appropriate medical care while in custody.

Officials have not confirmed the full extent of her medical condition, and there have been no credible reports that she has died — widespread online rumors about her death have been debunked by fact‑checking outlets.

The ongoing legal proceedings continue in a federal court in Manhattan, where both Flores and Maduro have pleaded not guilty to multiple charges related to drug trafficking and other offences.