Jailed Venezuelan Dictator Maduro Yells 'I Am the President!' in Brooklyn Prison

Report claims Maduro spends nights in solitary confinement shouting he was 'kidnapped' by the U.S.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 5:35pm

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A report from the Spanish newspaper ABC claims that Venezuela's deposed socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro, who is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, spends his nights in prison yelling 'I am the president' and claiming he was 'kidnapped' by the U.S. Maduro, who led Venezuela's socialist regime from 2013 to 2026, was arrested in Caracas in a U.S. law enforcement operation and is now facing drug trafficking charges in a U.S. federal court.

Why it matters

Maduro's arrest and detention in a Brooklyn prison marks a dramatic fall from power for the long-ruling Venezuelan dictator. His nightly outbursts in prison highlight the stark contrast between his former position of absolute power and his current status as a jailed defendant awaiting trial. This case also reflects the ongoing political and economic turmoil in Venezuela, as the country transitions to new leadership under 'acting President' Delcy Rodríguez.

The details

According to the ABC report, Maduro is being held in the Metropolitan Detention Center's Special Housing Unit, a wing where high-profile inmates are kept in solitary confinement. Sources claim Maduro spends entire nights yelling from his small cell, which is 3 meters long by 2 meters wide, that he was 'kidnapped' and demanding messages be relayed to his family and other Venezuelan inmates. Maduro is being represented by American lawyer Barry Pollack, who has argued the Venezuelan government should be allowed to pay for Maduro's legal fees.

  • Maduro was arrested in Caracas on January 3, 2026 in a U.S. law enforcement operation.
  • Maduro pleaded 'not guilty' to drug trafficking charges on January 5, 2026.
  • Maduro's hearing is scheduled for March 26, 2026.

The players

Nicolás Maduro

The deposed socialist dictator of Venezuela who led the country's socialist regime from 2013 to 2026. He is currently detained in a Brooklyn prison and facing drug trafficking charges in the U.S.

Delcy Rodríguez

The 'acting President' of Venezuela following Maduro's arrest, who previously served as Maduro's vice president and oil minister.

Barry Pollack

The American lawyer representing Nicolás Maduro in his ongoing drug trafficking case. Pollack has previously represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

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What they’re saying

“I am the president of Venezuela! Tell my country that I have been kidnapped, that we are being mistreated here.”

— Nicolás Maduro (ABC)

What’s next

Maduro's hearing is scheduled for March 26, 2026, where the judge will determine if he will be allowed out on bail.

The takeaway

Maduro's nightly outbursts in a Brooklyn prison cell highlight the dramatic fall from power for the long-ruling Venezuelan dictator, who now faces serious drug trafficking charges in the U.S. This case reflects the ongoing political and economic turmoil in Venezuela as the country transitions to new leadership under Delcy Rodríguez.