Nicolás Maduro, the former president of Venezuela, was taken into custody on January 3, 2026, in Caracas and subsequently extradited to the United States. He is now being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, a federal facility known for housing high-profile inmates. Conditions within the facility, according to accounts from former prisoners, are described as a harsh and isolating environment.
A Facility Reinforced After 9/11
The Metropolitan Detention Center, located in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, currently holds approximately 1,300 inmates, many of whom are facing charges related to drug trafficking and terrorism. The facility has previously held individuals such as Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and members of Al Qaeda. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, security measures were significantly increased.
Carlos Lehder, a former Colombian drug trafficker and co-founder of the Medellín cartel, shared his experiences at the facility with Revista Semana. Lehder, who was detained there for two weeks in 2018, described the environment as one of extreme restriction. He noted that detainees in the high-security section have no human contact, are prohibited from having visitors—except lawyers—and do not have access to televisions.
Maduro is currently being held in this high-security section, where a trial could last “one or two years,” according to Lehder’s estimate. Daily routines are highly regimented; even showering is monitored, with detainees allowed only four minutes to shave under constant observation. This level of scrutiny, Lehder explained, is partly due to concerns about self-harm among inmates.
“Maduro—Perhaps—Will Not See Freedom Again”
Lehder described the standard cell as approximately 3 by 5 meters, characterizing it as solitary confinement that could ultimately prove fatal. Meals are delivered directly to the cell, and there are no privileges or entertainment options. Inmates are permitted only three three-hour visits to the yard each week, and during the winter months, these take place in frigid temperatures.
Lehder, who was sentenced to 135 years in prison and life imprisonment in 1988, stated, “Maduro—perhaps—will not see freedom again,” comparing Maduro’s situation to the harsh realities of the U.S. justice system. He referred to the facility as “hell” or “the black planet,” a sentiment echoed by many inmates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of facility is the Metropolitan Detention Center?
The Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn is a federal detention center, not a penitentiary, and primarily houses individuals accused of crimes like drug trafficking and terrorism.
Who else has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center?
Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán and members of Al Qaeda have previously been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
What does Carlos Lehder say about the potential length of Maduro’s trial?
Carlos Lehder estimates that Nicolás Maduro’s trial could extend for “one or two years.”
As legal proceedings against him progress, what challenges will Nicolás Maduro face adapting to the conditions of confinement described by those familiar with the Metropolitan Detention Center?
