Maduro's Spiritual Anchor: How Sri Sathya Sai Baba Influenced Venezuela's Leader

• Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro declared his devotion to God and pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in a New York courtroom.
• Maduro, his wife Cilia Flores, and Vice President Delcy Rodriguez are devoted followers of the late Indian spiritual leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba, despite Venezuela being Catholic-majority.
• Maduro's office at Miraflores Palace featured Sai Baba's portrait, and he visited Sai Baba's Prasanthi Nilayam ashram in Andhra Pradesh in 2005.
• Venezuela declared a national day of mourning upon Sai Baba's death in 2011, an unusual tribute for a foreign spiritual figure.
• Sri Sathya Sai Baba, born Sathyanarayana Raju, claimed to be a reincarnation of Shirdi Sai Baba, preaching "love all, serve all" and emphasizing selfless service (seva).

Why It Matters: Nicolas Maduro's deep devotion to Sri Sathya Sai Baba highlights the guru's unexpected global spiritual influence.