Maduro's Prison Message Urges Venezuelans to Keep Faith

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has sent a message to his nation from a U.S. Prison, urging citizens to maintain their faith as the country faces significant challenges. The unusual address was published by his son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, on social media to mark International Women's Day on March 8.

In the message, Maduro called on Venezuelans to hold onto the belief that can "move mountains" and promised that the nation would overcome its current hardships. He invoked a biblical teaching, stating: "Jesus taught us, if you have faith and do not doubt, you can even say to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will be done. Grant us that sincere and universal faith to move the mountains of difficulties that sometimes hold us back and turn them into a free path for our homeland."

The communication included Maduro's characteristic signature. This prison message is among the first direct communications from Maduro to the Venezuelan people since his arrest in the United States.

Maduro was captured by U.S. Authorities in a special operation on January 3. His wife, Cilia Flores, was also taken from Venezuela at that time. On January 5, they appeared before a federal court in New York facing charges related to alleged drug trafficking. Both Maduro and Flores have denied any guilt.

With Maduro detained abroad, authority in Venezuela has been delegated to Delsy Rodriguez, who previously served as vice president and is now acting as the country's authorized president.