Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is turning to religious texts, including the Quran and the Bible, while in detention at a federal prison in Brooklyn, New York. According to a report by The New York Times, Maduro is spending a major part of his time studying religious literature.
Sources familiar with his circumstances told the newspaper that Maduro has embarked on a spiritual journey while held at the Metropolitan Detention Center. He has also met with religious figures behind bars, including a Christian priest and a Jewish rabbi.
The report noted that Maduro has experienced visible weight loss during his detention. According to informed sources, the poor quality of the prison food contributed to his faster weight reduction, a condition Maduro himself has complained about.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody following an operation by United States forces in Caracas on January 3, 2026, and subsequently flown to New York. The administration has since placed him under federal legal scrutiny.
United States authorities have charged Maduro with cocaine trafficking conspiracies, collaborating with designated terrorist organizations, unlawful possession of heavy weaponry, and involvement in the torture of political opponents. In court hearings, he denied all accusations and pleaded not guilty.
During his presidency, Maduro regularly engaged with faith leaders, once stating in June 2024 that he placed his nation in the hands of Christ. Associated Press reports also highlighted that he and his wife previously followed the teachings of Indian spiritual figure Sathya Sai Baba regarding unity and peace.
Source: The New York Times
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