Nicolás Maduro, the former Venezuelan president, is now detained at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, a facility with a troubled history of abuse, neglect, and high-profile inmates like R. Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Nicolás Maduro, the deposed Venezuelan president, is now behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, a facility with a long and troubled history. Just days ago, Maduro was in Caracas, but after being captured by American forces, he finds himself in a jail that has been described as “hell on earth” by legal experts and former inmates.
The Metropolitan Detention Center: A Notorious Facility
The MDC, located in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood, is one of the largest federal lockups in the country. It houses approximately 1,300 inmates and has been the site of numerous scandals, including allegations of abuse, neglect, and unsanitary conditions. The facility has previously held high-profile inmates such as singer R. Kelly, Fyre Festival organizer Billy McFarland, and Ghislaine Maxwell, a long-time associate of Jeffrey Epstein.
Maduro is being held at the MDC as he faces federal charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine-importation conspiracy. His wife, Cilia Flores, has also been charged, along with their son and other Venezuelan officials. The couple was transported to the facility after being captured in a U.S.-led raid in Caracas.
A History of Scandal and Controversy
The MDC has a long history of controversy. In 2017, multiple guards were arrested and charged with committing sexual offenses against inmates. In 2018, former lieutenant Eugenio Perez was convicted of sexually assaulting five female inmates, while another former lieutenant, Carlos Richard Martinez, was found guilty of repeatedly raping a female inmate. Former corrections officer Armando Moronta pleaded guilty to sexually abusing three female inmates.
In addition to allegations of abuse, the facility has faced criticism for its conditions. In 2019, over a thousand inmates were left in freezing cells after the facility lost power and heat for at least a week. Reports have also detailed unsanitary conditions, including meals containing maggots and food served to inmates with documented allergies.
The MDC has also seen violent incidents. In 2024, two inmates were killed at the facility. Uriel Whyte was fatally stabbed by two inmates, and Edwin Cordero was allegedly beaten and stabbed in the heart by three inmates. These incidents have led to concerns about the safety and conditions within the facility.
High-Profile Inmates and Legal Challenges
The MDC has held several high-profile inmates over the years. In addition to Maduro, the facility has housed former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was detained there while awaiting trial on drug charges. Hernández received legal advice from Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the bankrupt bitcoin exchange FTX, during his time at the facility.
Legal experts have expressed concerns about the conditions at the MDC. In 2024, a federal judge threatened to vacate the prison sentence of a 75-year-old convicted on tax fraud charges if he were designated to serve time at the MDC, citing “dangerous, barbaric conditions” at the facility. The Legal Aid Society has described the jail as having a “documented history of violence, medical neglect, and human and civil rights violations.”
What’s Next for Maduro?
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. They will await their next court appearance, set for March 17, at the MDC. The facility serves as a way station for detainees before trial or sentencing, and Maduro’s case will be closely watched as it unfolds.
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