NEW YORK (AP) — Nicolás Maduro, the former president of Venezuela, has arrived at the notoriously troubled Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn. Known for having housed several high-profile inmates, the MDC is currently facing scrutiny due to its historical conditions and ongoing management issues.
Maduro's capture sparked celebrations among Venezuelan expatriates who gathered outside the jail, waving flags and chanting in support. The MDC, designed for holding those awaiting trial in federal courts, has seen its fair share of famous inmates, including R. Kelly and Sean 'Diddy' Combs.
Opened in the early 1990s, the facility currently houses roughly 1,300 inmates, among them alleged gangsters and drug traffickers, as well as individuals involved in white-collar crimes. Past prisoners have included notorious figures such as Sam Bankman-Fried and Ghislaine Maxwell.
The MDC has been labeled as a 'hell on earth' by former detainees, who have described rampant violence and other safety issues. Detainees, including noted former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández, have faced serious charges while incarcerated at the same facility. Although the Bureau of Prisons reports improvements have been made, such as increased staffing and updated maintenance, critics remain unconvinced regarding the effectiveness of these changes.
Immediately upon his arrival, Maduro was placed in isolation for security reasons. He may encounter fellow detainees, including Hugo Carvajal, a former Venezuelan intelligence chief, who has expressed willingness to cooperate with U.S. authorities.
As Maduro faces legal challenges in the U.S., the scrutiny on the MDC continues. The facility's past has raised alarms, especially since the closure of another local jail after Jeffrey Epstein's suicide highlighted its failing infrastructure.
Given the MDC's troubled history, Maduro's detention is expected to unfold under intense public and media scrutiny as further developments arise.
