United States federal judge, Alvin K. Hellerstein, has scheduled the hearing for October 8th that will analyze the request for house arrest of the congresswoman and first lady of Venezuela, Cilia Flores. The session is scheduled for 10:30 am local time at the Southern District Court of New York. The parliamentarian’s defense calls for her transfer from the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center to a private residence due to serious health complications.
According to the schedule established by the American justice system, the United States government has until September 23 to formally respond to the bail request. Then, defense lawyers will have until September 30th to present their reply.
The petition for progression to house arrest was presented on September 9th by Flores’ defense. The request is based on medical reports that indicate a severe deterioration in her physical and cardiac health since she was detained. At 69 years old, the first lady lost more than 11 kilos in captivity, has episodes of arrhythmia, shortness of breath and intense chest pain. Currently, she uses four continuous medications.
Prison context
Cilia Flores and President Nicolás Maduro were kidnapped in Caracas during a military operation by United States special forces carried out on January 3, 2026. Taken coercively to New York, both claim to be innocent of the charges brought by the US prosecutor’s office and declared themselves “prisoners of war” in court. The defense reinforces that both have sovereign immunity as heads of state and first lady and, therefore, requests the annulment of the process.
On September 10, Judge Hellerstein ordered the confidentiality of the medical reports and clinical examinations presented by Flores’ defense, considering the documents to be of a very personal nature.
Custody proposal
To allow the process to be responded to outside of prison, Cilia Flores’ defense committed to a strict monitoring plan. The proposal includes 24-hour armed surveillance by a specialized private company, use of electronic ankle bracelets, passport delivery, restriction of visits and communications control. All expenses for the security scheme will be borne by the accused herself.
In addition to the bail hearing on October 8, the court has a session scheduled for November 17 to evaluate other preliminary motions, including the request to annul the criminal action against the couple. The start of the main trial is scheduled for June 1, 2027.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
