In a dramatic international development, former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are now in United States custody. The couple is being transported to New York, where they will face a series of serious criminal charges, according to a senior government source.
Charges and Official Statements
The legal action follows an announcement by former US President Donald Trump confirming Maduro's capture. US Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that Maduro and his wife have been indicted on charges including narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and weapons-related offenses. Trump emphasised that the couple would "face the full might of American justice and stand trial on American soil."
The indictment, filed in the Southern District of New York, alleges that Maduro led a long-running conspiracy. Prosecutors claim he used Venezuela's state apparatus to funnel large quantities of cocaine into the United States. The specific charges are:
- Narco-terrorism conspiracy
- Cocaine importation conspiracy
- Possession of machine guns and destructive devices
Maduro's son, Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra, is also named in the indictment.
The Notorious Detention Centre Awaiting Maduro
With indications that Maduro will be taken to New York, officials point to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn as his likely holding facility. This is New York City's only federal jail and has a history of housing high-profile detainees.
However, the MDC's reputation is deeply troubled. Inmates have consistently reported severe issues, including:
- Violence among detainees and staff
- Harsh and unsanitary living conditions
- Critical staff shortages
- Widespread smuggling of drugs and contraband
Some former inmates have starkly described the jail as "hell on earth."
A Roster of High-Profile Inmates
The Brooklyn facility is no stranger to famous faces. Past and present inmates include music executive Sean "Diddy" Combs, singer R. Kelly, Ghislaine Maxwell, and cryptocurrency fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried.
Sean "Diddy" Combs spent time at the MDC before and during his trial. He was later convicted in October 2025 on two counts of transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution, receiving a 50-month federal prison sentence. He was acquitted on more serious sex trafficking and racketeering charges and is currently held in a federal prison in New Jersey.
The arrival of Nicolás Maduro adds another globally controversial figure to this infamous jail's roster, setting the stage for a historic and closely watched legal proceeding on US soil.
