Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores call for peace from US detention

Former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, deputy Cilia Flores, issued a new Telegram message from their detention center in New York on Pentecost. They asked Venezuelans for “wisdom and humility” to achieve national reconciliation, invoking biblical language: “Pidamos recibir la luz, la guía y las bendiciones del Espíritu Santo…”. The couple thanked supporters for prayers and highlighted solidarity, love and “the union” as the basis for a prosperous future.

The appeal follows a U.S. evacuation‑drill at the embassy in Caracas that sparked protests among chavista supporters. Maduro and Flores remain in federal custody after being arrested in a January U.S. operation in Caracas. They face four charges, including conspiracy to commit terrorism and cocaine importation for Maduro, and drug‑trafficking‑related offenses for Flores. Both have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to appear before the U.S. Southern District of New York on 30 June.

The message underscores the political stalemate in Venezuela while the legal proceedings continue in the United States.