Nicolas Maduro offers prayer for Venezuela earthquake victims from Brooklyn jail as death toll rises

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro issued a message of solidarity from his jail cell in Brooklyn on Sunday, June 28, as Venezuela continues to recover from devastating twin earthquakes. 

In a social media post, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, offered prayers for victims and rescue workers while quoting the Gospel of Matthew. The message came months after the couple was ousted from power and taken into US custody. 

Nicolas Maduro offers prayers from jail after US arrest 

Maduro's statement marked a rare public message since he and Flores were detained earlier this year following an unprecedented US operation that led to their removal from Venezuela and incarceration at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC).

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the former Venezuelan leader expressed condolences to those affected by the disaster. "Cilia and I lift our prayers for those who have died, for the injured, for the missing, for their families, and for all those who continue fighting, minute by minute, to save lives," he wrote. 

He also included a passage from the 25th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, writing, "'When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' And the King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"

It remains unclear whether Maduro personally authored or approved the message, or whether it was issued on his behalf through his team.

The statement represents one of the few public comments attributed to the former president since his detention and comes as Venezuela faces a mounting humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of the earthquakes.

Death toll climbs as rescue efforts continue in Venezuela

Authorities have confirmed that at least 1,450 people have died following the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on Wednesday. 

National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said in a televised address that 3,150 people had been injured, while 12,721 residents had been displaced. He added that 774 buildings, including hospitals, had either collapsed or sustained significant damage. "We are in critical hours, in crucial hours, to continue to save lives," Rodríguez said.

Officials said more than 2,600 international rescue workers and 137 search dogs had joined recovery operations, while aid continued arriving from multiple countries.

Aid agencies have repeatedly noted that the first 48 to 72 hours after a major earthquake are generally considered the most critical period for locating survivors, although rescue experts say people may still be found alive if they have access to food and water.

The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck within 39 seconds of one another, triggering widespread destruction across parts of the country. Thousands of families have continued searching through debris using heavy machinery, ropes and, in many cases, their bare hands while awaiting news of missing relatives.