Cilia Flores: First Combatant of the Bolivarian Republic

On January 2, 2025 the U.S. illegally bombed and carried out a ground invasion of Venezuela, resulting in the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro and First Combatant Cilia Flores. In media coverage, Flores is often reduced to being "Maduro's wife" which severely overlooks over three decades of significant contributions to the Bolivarian Revolution, and the Government. The International Women's Alliance stands with the women of Venezuela in calling for the immediate release of Flores and Maduro, and also condemns the violence Flores endured at the hands of the US special forces which resulted in broken and bruised ribs, as well as facial injuries that were evident at her court appearance on January 9. Flores' role isn't in isolation, as first combatant she also represents the hundreds of thousands of women in Venezuela who participate in the commune system, who have supported election efforts, who have fought in the colectivos, and who have shaped the Bolivarian society from the beginning under Hugo Chávez .

Cilia Flores was trained as a lawyer in Venezuela and practiced criminal law. After Hugo Chávez was arrested for his leadership in an attempted 1992 coup against the US backed Carlos Pérez administration, Flores became the lead defense attorney in his case. She and Chávez remained close after his release in 1994 and subsequent political victory in 1998. Flores was first elected as a member to the National Assembly of Venezuela in 2000 and re-elected again in 2005. Chávez appointed Flores to be the Chair of the Political Command of the Bolivarian Revolution and her tactical leadership assisted in preventing a coup against Chávez in 2002. In recognition of her outstanding tactical and political leadership, she was appointed in 2006 to succeed Maduro as President of the National Assembly, becoming the first woman to hold and preside over the position. She also served as the second Vice President under Chávez in 2009 and took on the role of Attorney General in 2012.

While she and Maduro have been in a relationship for some years, they did not formally marry until 2013, after Maduro was officially President following Hugo Chávez's death. Upon their union, Cilia Flores became the "First Combatant" of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela - a term used to signify her political role to the country and the continuing Bolivarian revolution as Maduro's partner. Her position as first combatant gave her a new role in Venezuelan politics, but she didn't stop contributing to shaping and influencing it. In 2017, she was elected as a member of the constituent assembly and was instrumental in drafting Venezuela's new constitution. Afterwards, in 2021 she was re-elected to the National Assembly as a deputy, a role she still holds today. It is clear that Flores' abduction by the US goes beyond her position as Maduro's wife and is related to her significant role in Venezuelan society and politics.

Flores' role as a leader in Venezuela is not unique, however. Despite foreign intervention, sanctions, and diplomatic isolation, Venezuela remains a staunch example of what meaningful change looks like for women in a society. The victories women have won extend beyond reforms and representation; they show that women's meaningful participation at all levels of society has a fundamental change and impact on society itself. Today there are over 47,000 commune councils registered with the Venezuelan Government with women making up 80% of the membership. These communes are responsible for carrying out government funded community projects - ensuring health care, community centers, nutrition programs, literacy projects and more that serve the needs of the community and provide economic empowerment to the majority of Venezuelan people.

Since Chávez's leadership, one of the efforts of the Bolivarian Government has been ensuring women's participation in society and combatting long-standing machismo culture that underscores much of the culture. Significant strides have been made through constitutional reforms which guarantee housewives have access to social welfare programs such as social security, and others which guarantee sexual and reproductive rights of women and protects their right to family planning education, equality in marriage and equality in the household. Women in Venezuela continuously emphasize that they have learned that they have a voice through participating in the Bolivarian Revolution.

Many women have taken to the streets since the abduction of their President and First Combatant. They continue to raise the demand for Maduro and Flores to be released, and they continue to defend their communities through their role in grassroots armed groups known as colectivos. Women in Venezuela know that they are not just citizens but carry a responsibility to continue shaping society and defending Venezuela from foreign intervention and imperialist attacks. IWA stands with the women of Venezuela in calling for the immediate return of Maduro and Flores, in the protection and defense of Venezuelan oil reserves and other natural resources, and in protecting the sovereignty and independence of Venezuela against foreign intervention.

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