New York Times reveals Maduro’s prison life: Quran, Bible, and weight loss

The New York Times has reported that former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro spends most of his time in Brooklyn jail reading the Bible, the Quran, and philosophical texts. He has also lost a significant amount of weight since his arrest on January 3, 2026, according to six sources familiar with his detention conditions who spoke to the newspaper on condition of anonymity.

According to the report, Maduro’s interest in spirituality has deepened during his imprisonment. He has met with religious leaders in jail, including a Catholic priest and a rabbi, despite not previously showing interest in Judaism, according to people close to him. Maduro had earlier stated he was of Sephardic Jewish descent.

Maduro was a devout Catholic and had ties to a socialist-leaning priest. He also sought support from Venezuela’s evangelical community and, along with his wife Cilia Flores and successor Delcy Rodríguez, followed the teachings of Hindu spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba.

On the health front, two sources familiar with his eating habits said the poor quality of prison food has accelerated his weight loss compared to the paleo diet he followed before his arrest. They noted he appeared noticeably thinner and had complained about the food in recent months.

Meanwhile, his wife Cilia Flores, 70, is facing more severe health challenges in detention. She has lost over 11 kilograms and two teeth, and has been prescribed medications including nitroglycerin for chest pain, after recovering from a hysterectomy at the time of her arrest.

Flores spent three months in solitary confinement and was exposed to pepper spray used to break up a fight among inmates. Her legal team believes she may have suffered a mild heart attack in July, though there is no official medical confirmation. She reportedly sleeps only three to four hours a day.

Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein denied her request for release before his death in October at age 92, after which the case was transferred to Judge Analisa Torres.

Maduro and Flores face charges of conspiracy in drug terrorism and cocaine trafficking cases. Both have pleaded not guilty in U.S. courts, with their trial scheduled to begin in June 2027.