Alleged Prison Letter Calls for Venezuelan Unity

A letter, purportedly written by Venezuela’s detained Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, has surfaced, appealing for national reconciliation and forgiveness within the country.

The message, which includes quotes from the Bible, was published across Maduro’s social media accounts on Saturday, coinciding with Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week for Christians.

Gratitude and Spiritual Strength Reported

The missive commenced with Maduro and Flores expressing profound thanks to the Venezuelan people and global supporters for their demonstrated strength, courage, and solidarity.

The letter claimed they had received numerous communications and prayers, stating, “Every word of love, every gesture of affection, every expression of support fills our souls and strengthens us spiritually.”

The authors asserted their current state: “We are well, steadfast, serene, and in constant prayer.” They also voiced admiration for the populace’s ability to maintain unity during challenging times.

Appeal for Peace and Dialogue

The core message strongly advocated for continued efforts toward national healing. “Today more than ever, we call for continued efforts to consolidate peace in the country, national unity, reconciliation, forgiveness, and the coming together of all,” the text declared.

It cautioned against deviation from constructive paths, emphasizing, “Let no one stray from the path of dialogue, coexistence, and respect, for that is the path of the Homeland; that is the path of goodness.”

Biblical References for Perseverance

The letter utilized scripture to reinforce its call for hope and perseverance. It quoted Jesus Christ from the Gospel according to Saint Luke: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

This was followed by an encouragement to the readers: “May you ask with faith, seek with hope, and knock with love, for God’s paths open to the peoples who persevere in truth, peace, and light.”

The communication concluded with heartfelt thanks for the messages and prayers received, promising their gratitude and spiritual embrace would remain constant.

Context of Detention and Legal Proceedings

Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores have reportedly been detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn since their arrest on January 3, following a U.S. law enforcement operation authorized by President Donald Trump.

The letter’s publication follows a recent court hearing where U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected a motion to dismiss the case against the pair. The defense team, led by lawyers Barry Pollack and Mark Donnelly, had sought dismissal, citing alleged interference by the U.S. government in paying legal fees due to sanctions against Maduro.