Venezuela's president Nicolás Maduro, and his wife Cilia Flores-who were recently captured and removed from the country-share a lesser-known spiritual connection to India.
Long before global sanctions and political controversies, the couple became followers of Sathya Sai Baba, renowned Indian spiritual leader.
Maduro, originally raised Catholic, was introduced to Sai Baba through Flores prior to their marriage. In 2005, the couple traveled to Prasanthi Nilayam ashram in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, for a private audience with the guru. Photos from the visit show the young couple seated alongside Sai Baba. Over the years, Maduro displayed his devotion publicly; a portrait of Sai Baba hung in his private office alongside images of Simon Bolivar and Hugo Chavez.
Following Sai Baba's death in 2011, Maduro-then serving as Venezuela's foreign minister-led efforts to officially honour the spiritual leader. Venezuela's National Assembly passed a condolence resolution and declared a day of national mourning to acknowledge Sai Baba's "spiritual contribution to humanity".
The Sathya Sai organisation continues to operate in Venezuela, which hosts one of Latin America's largest Sai devotee communities, dating back to 1974. In 2024, the government even included the "om" symbol in its National Day celebrations. Just months before his capture in 2025, Maduro paid tribute to Sai Baba's centenary, describing him as a "being of light" in an official statement.
From bus driver to president
Born on November 23, 1962, Maduro came from a working-class family; his father was a trade union leader. He initially worked as a bus driver during the period of Hugo Chavez's 1992 failed coup. He actively campaigned for Chavez's release and supported his revolutionary agenda.
After Chavez's election in 1998, Maduro entered the legislature, eventually rising to president of the National Assembly and later foreign minister, helping Venezuela form alliances with other developing nations. He became president following Chavez's death in 2013.
His presidency faced severe economic challenges, including hyperinflation, shortages, and bread lines. He also took controversial measures, such as sending troops to seize appliances from shops to control prices. In 2018, an assassination attempt using drones forced him to limit public appearances. Throughout his career, his wife Cilia Flores played a central role, holding top positions like attorney general and chief of parliament.