The New York prison where Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is reportedly being held after his capture at the orders of Donald Trump has been described as ‘hell on earth’ and criticized for the conditions under which prisoners live.
The Metropolitan Detention Center has come under significant scrutiny after housing notable inmates such as Sean 'Diddy' Combs, and UnitedHealthcare CEO killing suspect Luigi Mangione.
The Metropolitan Detention Center in New York has a bad reputation
The prison - known officially as MDC Brooklyn - has been heavily criticized in the past for conditions that have been described as ‘inhumane’ and ‘hell on earth’.
Yet, this is reportedly where Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are being held since their arrest and capture during a US military operation in their home country.
Maduro faces narco-terrorism charges that could even carry the death penalty if he is found guilty.
Last year, the Legal Aid Society slammed the prison conditions, citing a ‘documented history of violence, medical neglect, and human and civil rights violations’ at the facility.
They described reported incidents where the prison had no heat during the cold winter, as well as reports of ‘maggot-infested food’.
The prison received further notoriety in 2024 when a judge gave a special exemption to a defendant that allowed them to avoid detention in the MDC.
The judge ruled that the 74-year-old could spend his time under house arrest if assigned to the prison.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn also announced action in March against 25 defendants in 12 cases linked to violence and contraband smuggling within the facility.
In a June press release against ICE detentions within the MDC, the Legal Aid Society said: "Over the years, MDC has become synonymous with egregious neglect and abuse with the people incarcerated.”
What next for President Maduro and his wife?
On Saturday, President Donald Trump announced a ‘large-scale strike’ on Venezuela, much to the shock of the public and the international community - particularly other nations in the region that Trump has also threatened.
During that strike, President Maduro was captured along with his wife and taken to New York where he will appear in court today (January 5).
There had previously been a record reward of $50 million placed on Maduro’s head, although it now seems as if that will go unclaimed.
He and his wife face narco-terrorism charges, that - if convicted - could carry lengthy custodial sentences, as well as the possibility of the death penalty if prosecutors decide to pursue it.
For the foreseeable future, it seems as if the pair will continue their stay in the Metropolitan Detention Center.