Sky News Daily Was Cilia Flores the real brains of the Maduro regime?
Jan 9, 2026
Jose Enrique Arrioja, a Venezuelan-American journalist and managing editor of Americas Quarterly, shares insights on Cilia Flores, a powerful figure in Venezuela. They delve into her rise within the Maduro regime, including her roles in the National Assembly and as attorney general. Accusations of corruption and drug trafficking surround her and her family. The discussion also touches on the couple's controversial partnership and the challenges facing Venezuela amidst a backdrop of repression and potential future redemocratization.
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From Chavez Lawyer To Regime Architect
- Cilia Flores emerged from Chavez's inner legal circle and became a strategic power broker in Maduro's regime.
- Jose Enrique Arrioja says she acted as a skilled architect shaping the regime's direction and policies.
Roots In Chavez's Legal Circle
- Flores began as one of Hugo Chavez's leading lawyers and first met Maduro helping Chavez legally after the 1992 coup.
- Arrioja recalls their long partnership before they formalized their marriage after Maduro's 2013 election.
Control Of Judiciary And Security
- Flores controlled key state levers, serving as attorney general and overseeing the judiciary and parts of the security apparatus.
- Arrioja links this control to her enabling Maduro's consolidation of power and repression.