Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have been held since January at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, New York, following their capture by US forces in Venezuela. Both deny the charges brought against them, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and corruption. While their son Nicolás Maduro Guerra publicly emphasizes that his father is in good condition, exercises daily, and appears determined, insiders and former officials describe the detention conditions as extremely harsh.
The prison has been criticized for years for dangerous and inhumane conditions. Reports describe unsanitary environments, violence, insecurity, and prolonged isolation. High-profile detainees like Maduro are typically kept under especially strict separation and spend up to 23 hours a day in solitary confinement. Meals are delivered through a slot in the cell door, social contact is severely limited, and recreational activities usually take place alone. Such inmates are often housed in the highly restrictive Special Housing Unit, where movements are strictly monitored and communication is heavily restricted.
Direct contact between Maduro and Flores is virtually impossible under these conditions. Men and women are housed separately at the MDC, and co-defendants are generally prohibited from communicating to prevent collusion or interference in the legal process. Contact with the outside world is possible but highly regulated, monitored, and rare. Phone calls are brief and in some cases limited to one per month, and there is no access to the internet.
The quality of food has also been criticized for years. Lawyers report spoiled or contaminated food, including meat and dairy products. A 2024 complaint described beans infested with worms, which was confirmed by prison staff. Additional complaints characterize such incidents as a recurring pattern. Authorities reject some of these allegations but do not acknowledge all issues.
Opportunities for physical exercise are highly limited. Detainees are sometimes allowed to leave their cells for up to one hour per day, usually in tightly controlled areas described as “open-air cages.” Exercise often takes place inside the cell through simple routines such as push-ups or walking in confined spaces. According to lawyers, these routines serve not only to maintain fitness but also to structure daily life and cope with stress, anxiety, and isolation, particularly in the absence of adequate medical and psychological care.
The MDC houses more than 1,300 inmates and is regularly subject to investigations. Reports document problems with violence, weapons smuggling, and inadequate infrastructure, including extreme temperatures in cells and limited access to medical care. Federal authorities point to improvements through additional staff and measures to reduce violence, but lawyers and organizations continue to report serious deficiencies and staff shortages.
The next court hearing in the case against Maduro and Flores is scheduled for March 26 and is expected to address the status of the proceedings as well as unresolved issues regarding the funding of the defense and the handling of evidence.
Source: CNN World