The ousted president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, along with his wife, Deputy Cilia Flores, called for peace and national unity, two days after his hearing in New York. In a message posted on social media, both assured they are “firm and serene,” which constitutes their first public statement since their capture in Caracas last January. “Today more than ever, we call for continuing to consolidate the country's peace, national unity, reconciliation, and dialogue,” they expressed through their accounts on Telegram and X. In the text, they affirmed they are “well, firm, serene, and in constant prayer” and thanked the support received during their imprisonment. They also highlighted the strength of the Venezuelan people and their ability to maintain national unity amid the crisis. This is the first message signed by Maduro and Flores since their detention on January 3, following a military attack by the United States in Caracas.
Previously, their son, Deputy Nicolás Maduro Guerra, had shared messages assuring that his father was “very well” and with “high spirits.” The statement comes after both appeared before a federal court in New York, where a judge rejected to dismiss the drug trafficking case. Nicolás Maduro faces four charges, including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and cocaine importation. Cilia Flores, for her part, is accused of drug trafficking conspiracy and weapon possession. The hearing coincided with the arrival in Washington of a delegation sent by the interim president Delcy Rodríguez, with the objective of strengthening ties with the Donald Trump Administration. The mission, led by Félix Plasencia and Oliver Blanco, began meetings with the Under Secretary of State, Christopher Landau.
