Maduro Transferred to Infamous Brooklyn Jail Amid Ongoing Scrutiny

Mon Jan 05 2026 11:27:56 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is now detained in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, notorious for its troubled history and controversial inmates. The facility is currently undergoing reforms while housing notorious names like Ismael Zambada Garcia and Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco.

Nicolás Maduro, the deposed president of Venezuela, has been transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn. This facility has a history of housing high-profile inmates and facing severe criticism for its conditions. It has recently received reforms aiming to improve safety and living conditions, although concerns persist as reform efforts lag. Presently, the MDC houses around 1,300 inmates, including notorious criminal figures. As Maduro adjusts to his new surroundings, he may encounter familiar faces, including known gang members.

NEW YORK (AP) — Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is now held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, a facility known for its notorious reputation and troubled history. Even judges have abstained from sentencing individuals there due to concerning conditions and past events. Opened in the early 1990s, the MDC currently accommodates approximately 1,300 inmates, ranging from alleged gangsters and drug traffickers to white-collar offenders.

Outside the jail, a gathering of Venezuelan expatriates celebrated Maduro's capture, draped in flags and yelling in joy as a police motorcade approached the facility.

This is not the first time a former head of state has been imprisoned at MDC. Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández also served time there while facing charges related to cocaine trafficking. He was later pardoned by former President Donald Trump.

The MDC has high-profile inmates, including Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada Garcia from Mexico's Sinaloa cartel and Luigi Mangione, accused of murder. Furthermore, past inmates include crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried and Ghislaine Maxwell, associated with Jeffrey Epstein.

Described as “hell on earth” by some, the MDC has drawn criticism for rampant violence and unfortunate incidents, such as the death of two inmates in 2024. Conditions reportedly led to a temporary power outage that lasted a week.

While the federal Bureau of Prisons suggests recent improvements have made the facility safer, concerns linger among past and current detainees. Reforms have included addressing long-standing maintenance issues, hiring additional staff, and improving essential services. However, with ongoing crime and violence reports, skepticism remains.

During his time at MDC, Maduro may encounter individuals he recognizes, including Hugo Carvajal, a former Venezuelan intelligence chief, advocating for cooperation with U.S. authorities. He also might cross paths with Anderson Zambrano-Pacheco, an alleged gang member.

The MDC's reputation has gained scrutiny ever since the closure of another New York jail in 2021, following the suicide of Jeffrey Epstein, which exposed troubling security lapses.