In early January 2026, the world was shaken by the news that Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores had been detained by American military forces. The operation took place in Caracas, and the couple was transported to one of the most secure prisons in New York. While the president and his wife were in custody, the rest of the family chose to stay out of the spotlight. Only one dared to break the silence: Maduro’s son Nicolás, known as Nicolasito.
The Maduro family has always attracted public interest. In addition to his only biological son, the president has three stepsons—children of Cilia Flores from her first marriage. All of them have been involved in the country’s political life in one way or another, and their names have come up in high-profile scandals more than once. However, after the family head’s arrest, each followed their own path: some faded from view, while others continued the fight to bring their father back home.
Family ties
Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores met back in the 1990s, but they officially began their relationship only in 2013. During their years together, they had no children of their own but built a strong family, raising four children: Nicolasito and Cilia’s three sons from her first marriage—Walter, Yosser, and Yoswal. Each of them found their own place within Venezuela’s political elite, while Cilia herself became one of the country’s most influential women, holding key positions in the government.
Cilia Flores, a trained lawyer, began her political career in the early 2000s. She became the first woman to head the National Assembly, later serving as attorney general. Her influence over her husband’s decisions and the country’s political life has repeatedly been a topic of public discussion in Venezuela.
Nicolasito’s path
Maduro’s only biological son, Nicolas, was born in 1990. His mother is the president’s first wife, Adriana Guerra Angulo. From an early age, Nicolasito showed an interest in the arts, but later pursued a degree in economics and attended a military university. After marrying Grisel Torres, he became a father of two daughters. The eldest was born in 2007, and the youngest, Victoria, arrived in 2012, the year of Chavez’s final election victory.
With the start of his father’s political career, Nicolasito quickly secured prominent positions in government. He headed the presidential inspection corps, led the National Film School, and later became a deputy serving on economic and cultural committees. After Maduro’s arrest, he was the first to address the public, calling for a fight to free his father.
Stepchildren and their role
Silvia Flores’ three sons from her marriage to Walter Ramón Gavidia Rodríguez—Walter, Yosser, and Yoswal—have also found themselves in the spotlight. The eldest, Walter, pursued a career in the judiciary, becoming a judge in Caracas. His name has been linked to corruption schemes and even accused of involvement in drug trafficking, which led to US sanctions.
Yosser, the second son, earned a law degree but has chosen to stay out of the public eye. Little is known about him, and in recent years he has avoided the news. The youngest, Yoswal, chose a career in journalism, but his name too appeared in corruption investigations. Despite this, all three maintained close ties to those in power and enjoyed the privileges their family status provided.
Grandchildren and family secrets
The Maduro family drama goes beyond his children. The president has four grandchildren: two from Nicolásito and two more whose parents among Silvia Flores’ stepsons have not been revealed. The identities and details of the younger family members are carefully guarded, only fueling curiosity about their fate.
After the head of the family and his wife were arrested, relatives chose to stay out of the public eye. Amid a political crisis and external pressure, each faced a difficult decision: continue fighting for power or try to build a new life away from Venezuelan politics.
RUSSPAIN reminds readers that Nicolás Maduro is the former president of Venezuela, who came to power after the death of Hugo Chávez. His wife, Cilia Flores, is known as one of the most influential women in the country, having held positions such as President of the National Assembly and Attorney General. The Maduro family has repeatedly been the subject of international investigations, and their names have appeared in high-profile scandals involving corruption and abuse of power.
