When the United States attacked Venezuela in the wee hours of January 3, they didn't just capture President Nicolas Maduro, but his wife, Cilia Flores, as well.
While much is known about Maduro, but outside the South American country, not many know who Cilia Flores is. During their trial on narco-terrorism charges at a New York court, before pleading not guilty, Flores spoke in Spanish and asserted, "I am first lady of the Republic of Venezuela."
From the country's first couple to now the inmates of New York jail, here's a look into Flores' life:
Early life
Flores was born on October 15, 1956 at Tinaquillo in central Venezuela. She grew up in western Caracas areas, described as "working-class neighbourhoods" by CNN.
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After graduating from Universidad Santa Maria in Caracas as a lawyer (specializing in labour and criminal law), she rose to prominence when she led the team that provided legal aid to military leader Hugo Chavez in 1992. During this time, Chavez had attempted to overthrow then-Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez.
In 1994, Flores reportedly helped in Chavez's release from jail and set up his successful run for president in 1999.
Now, she became a salient member of the Chavismo movement and it was through this movement that she encountered Nicolas Maduro, her future husband, who at the time was a bus driver and union leader.
"During that struggle for Chavez’s release, we were involved in street activities. I always remember a meeting in Catia, and when a young man asked to speak, he spoke, and I just stared at him. I said, 'How intelligent,'" CNN quoted Flores recalling in November 2023, on the first episode of Maduro’s podcast.
First woman to preside over Parliament
"Cilita", as Maduro calls her, was elected for her first term as a member of the National Assembly in 2000. In 2005, she won again on the seat and in 2006, Flores became the very first woman to preside over the Parliament.
Between 2009 and 2011, she became the second vice-president of Chavez's United Socialist Party and in 2012, Flores was appointed attorney general. After Chavez's death in 2013, Maduro succeeded him and in July the same year, Flores and Maduro got married.
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'First Combatant'
Not confining her stature to only the ceremonial 'First Lady of Venezuela', Maduro gave her the title of 'First Combatant'.
“Flores is Maduro’s wife, first and foremost, but really more: she's his key partner, one of his closest confidants and, in large part, helped his rise into politics," said Eva Golinger, a US lawyer and writer who met the couple several times while acting as an advisor to Chavez.
Golinger, however, later broke with Chavez to author The Chávez Code: Cracking US Intervention in Venezuela.
"Flores was more the brains, and Maduro was more the brawn – not to downplay his abilities as a very successful political operator in his own right – but she has been his pillar of support throughout everything," added Golinger.
'Flores is introvert, shy...'
Golinger describes Flores as a shy, introverted, soft-spoken woman with a gentle appearance. "She may not have been the face of the government, but she certainly had all the influence behind. I believe he would consult her on everything," Golinger added.
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Investigative journalist Casto Ocando said that Flores took charge over the judiciary since she was an experienced lawyer. "She was very actively involved in the process of appointing judges and prosecutors, a crucial area, because they replaced them to install others loyal to the revolution," added Ocando.
Children from previous relationships
While the couple do not have children from their relationship, Flores has three sons from her previous marriage.
Flores got married to police detective Walter Ramon Gavidia Rodiguez in 1978. It is through this marriage that she has three sons, Jacob Gavidia Flores, Yosser Daniel Gavidia Flores and Yoswal Alexander Gavidia Flores. These kids, all reportedly between 28 and 39 years of age, are referred to as Maduro's stepsons.
