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NEW: Venezuelan First Lady Cilia Flores has a long record as the power behind Maduro. Now, with the help of her jailed ex-bodyguard, the U.S. is preparing to charge her with drug trafficking.
We spent months investigating her ploys and alleged crimes: 1/6 https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/venezuela-politics-flores/">https://www.reuters.com/investiga...
We spent months investigating her ploys and alleged crimes: 1/6 https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/venezuela-politics-flores/">https://www.reuters.com/investiga...
In his first interview, I spoke with Yazenky Lamas, who worked to protect Flores over a decade. In 2016 he was arrested in Colombia on a US warrant for drug charges.
He says he is speaking out because Flores betrayed him: “I was loyal to them. But they weren’t loyal to me.” 2/6
He says he is speaking out because Flores betrayed him: “I was loyal to them. But they weren’t loyal to me.” 2/6
To chart Flores& #39; influence, we interviewed 20 other associates and observers. They portray her as a stealthy strategist who now brandishes much of the power of Maduro’s office, helping him outmaneuver rivals amid rising pressure.
“Cilia likes or hates you,” an ex-aide said.
“Cilia likes or hates you,” an ex-aide said.
If the US goes ahead with her indictment, the charges are likely to stem from a drug deal for which her two nephews were convicted, sources say. Investigators have texts from the trio.
Lamas says Flores was aware of her nephews& #39; actions. "Cilia knew everything," he said. 4/6
Lamas says Flores was aware of her nephews& #39; actions. "Cilia knew everything," he said. 4/6
Flores has tried to negotiate with the US for her nephews& #39; release, sources say.
Last year, she told intermediaries to propose an exchange for six jailed oil executives, who the US considers political prisoners. The US rejected the offer as a "non-starter," an official said. 5/6
Last year, she told intermediaries to propose an exchange for six jailed oil executives, who the US considers political prisoners. The US rejected the offer as a "non-starter," an official said. 5/6
Flores did not respond to queries about her indictment. Venezuela’s information minister said our questions were “nauseating, slanderous and offensive.”
I reported this story with @mattspetalnick in DC. And many thanks to my editor @pauloprada. 6/6 https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/venezuela-politics-flores/">https://www.reuters.com/investiga...
I reported this story with @mattspetalnick in DC. And many thanks to my editor @pauloprada. 6/6 https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/venezuela-politics-flores/">https://www.reuters.com/investiga...
Hay una versión en español aquí: https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/venezuela-politics-flores-es/">https://www.reuters.com/investiga...
