A report from a Spanish newspaper indicated that Venezuela’s former socialist leader, Nicolas Maduro, spent a night in jail shouting, “I am president,” and claiming he was “kidnapped” by the U.S.
Maduro, who has been sought by U.S. authorities on various drug-terrorism charges, led Venezuela’s government from March 2013 until January 3, 2026. This was the date when U.S. law enforcement attempted to arrest him and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas. Despite his first term ending in 2019, Maduro held onto power through contentious elections in 2018 and 2024.
Since their arrest, both he and Flores have been detained at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. A hearing is scheduled for March 26. On January 5, Maduro entered a plea of “not guilty,” asserting his position as “president” and demanding the Venezuelan state cover his legal expenses.
Currently, there has been no official word from MDC officials regarding Maduro’s treatment during his detention. However, sources claim he is held in the MDC’s Special Housing Unit. Inmates there are often subjected to “solitary confinement in destructive conditions,” as previously reported in January.
According to the report, the facility claims this segregation serves to discipline inmates, prevent suicides, and protect those deemed at high risk. Yet, it appears that, in practice, inmates often face prolonged isolation.
As the report details, many high-profile inmates undergo a period in the SHU for suicide prevention, typically ranging from three days to a week. Maduro stated that his isolation is due to “long-term security reasons,” as he is likely the most notable inmate in the unit’s history, which puts him at significant risk of incidents.
One source, a lawyer linked to a nearby inmate, mentioned that Maduro had been yelling in his cell. His cell is described as around three by two meters, containing just a metal bed, a toilet, a sink, and tiny windows offering little natural light.
Maduro was reported to have repeatedly asserted, “I’ve been kidnapped,” seeking to communicate this message to his family and fellow Venezuelan inmates. This scene, underscored by his anguished declarations, marks a stark shift from his previously authoritative public persona.
His cries included, “I am the president of Venezuela! Tell my country that I have been kidnapped and that we are being mistreated here.” It’s quite a contrast, as the same person who once showcased a confident demeanor on national television now finds himself reduced to banging on a metal door.
In his ongoing drug trafficking case, Maduro is represented by Barry Pollack, an American lawyer who previously defended WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange. The charges against him include conspiracy related to narco-terrorism, importing cocaine, and possessing illegal firearms.
In late February, Pollack addressed U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein, contending that the Trump administration was obstructing the Venezuelan government’s ability to manage the dictator’s legal fees. He argued that, under Venezuelan law, the government traditionally covers the legal costs for the president and first lady.
Since Maduro’s detention, Delcy Rodriguez has been acting as the “president” of Venezuela. At the time of Maduro’s arrest, she was both vice president and oil minister. Recently, Rodriguez has engaged with the U.S., establishing multiple agreements regarding oil, gas, and key minerals.
On March 5, the U.S. and Venezuela came to an agreement to restore diplomatic ties, ending a seven-year standoff initiated by Maduro in 2019 during the political crisis following the disputed elections. Rodriguez has referred to Trump as a “friend” and “partner.”
A State Department letter confirmed U.S. acknowledgment of Delcy Rodriguez as Venezuela’s sole leader, highlighting that Maduro has not been recognized as head of state since January 23, 2019, due to pending charges in U.S. federal court.
The letter expressed a commitment to assist the Venezuelan people in transitioning to a democratically elected government, pointing out that Rodriguez was recognized to act on behalf of Venezuela.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons declined to comment on Maduro’s current status, citing security and privacy reasons for not disclosing details about those in custody.
At this moment, Maduro’s reality is a far cry from that of a head of state surrounded by colleagues and protection. Instead, he finds himself as a defendant in pretrial detention, facing the isolation and routine of a federal facility, likely anticipating a trial that could extend for months or even years.
