As global attention remains fixed on dramatic political developments in Venezuela, an unexpected personal dimension of its current leadership has resurfaced: a deep spiritual connection to India. Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s acting President and longtime deputy to Nicolás Maduro, is a devotee of revered Indian spiritual guru Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and has visited his ashram in Andhra Pradesh on two separate occasions in recent years.
While reports have previously noted that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were followers of Sathya Sai Baba, Rodríguez’s own association with the guru and the Prasanthi Nilayam ashram has remained relatively less known outside spiritual circles. Official records and archival material from the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust now shed light on her repeated pilgrimages to the ashram in Puttaparthi, underscoring a personal faith that has quietly intersected with diplomacy.
Two Visits, One Spiritual Anchor
According to the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Delcy Rodríguez visited Prasanthi Nilayam twice — first in August 2023, and again in October 2024. Both visits were described as deeply personal and devotional, rather than political engagements.
During her most recent visit on October 26, 2024, Rodríguez was serving as Venezuela’s Executive Vice President. Accompanied by Capaya Rodríguez González, Venezuela’s Ambassador to India, she travelled to Puttaparthi to offer what the Trust described as her “obeisances to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.”
She was received by R J Rathnakar, Managing Trustee of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, who personally guided her through the ashram complex. Rodríguez spent time at the Sanctum Sanctorum and Shanthi Bhavan, two of the most sacred spaces within Prasanthi Nilayam.
In a statement released by the Trust, Rodríguez expressed “deep joy” at returning to the ashram, noting that being in the divine presence of Sathya Sai Baba gave her “a profound sense of calm and tranquillity.”
A Personal Visit Amid Global Diplomacy
Rodríguez’s first documented visit took place on August 5, 2023, when she travelled to India as part of a Venezuelan delegation attending the G20 Summit. Despite the diplomatic nature of the trip — aimed at strengthening economic and political ties between India and Venezuela — the ashram visit was described by the Trust as “entirely personal in nature.”
Even during this earlier visit, Rodríguez spent extended time in silent reflection at the Sanctum Sanctorum and Shanthi Bhavan. According to a video archived on the Trust’s official YouTube channel, she spoke about the peace and spiritual grounding she experienced at Prasanthi Nilayam.
Interestingly, the Trust also noted that Venezuelan ministers accompanying her had previously visited the ashram in October 2019, suggesting a longer-standing connection between sections of Venezuela’s leadership and Sai Baba’s spiritual movement.
Sathya Sai Baba’s Global Reach
Prasanthi Nilayam, located in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, is the primary spiritual headquarters of Sathya Sai Baba and houses his Samadhi Mandir. Since Sai Baba’s passing in 2011, the ashram has continued to function as a global centre for prayer, education, healthcare initiatives, and service activities, drawing devotees from across continents.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Venezuela hosts several spiritual and cultural centres established by Indian gurus and organisations, including followers of Sathya Sai Baba, Brahma Kumaris, and Radha Soami. These centres have played a role in fostering people-to-people ties that extend beyond formal diplomacy.
A senior official familiar with India–Latin America cultural exchanges noted, “Spiritual movements often travel ahead of political relationships. In many countries, Indian spiritual traditions have created quiet but enduring bridges long before governments formally engage.”
Faith Beyond Power
Rodríguez’s association with Sathya Sai Baba stands out in a region where political leadership is rarely linked publicly to Indian spiritual traditions. Her visits, marked by discretion rather than spectacle, suggest a personal search for stillness amid the pressures of governance.
At a time when Venezuela faces profound political uncertainty, economic hardship, and international scrutiny, this spiritual dimension adds an unusual layer to the public image of its acting President. As one devotee present during her visit reportedly remarked, “In Prasanthi Nilayam, titles fall away. Everyone arrives as a seeker.”
While politics may shape Rodríguez’s public role, her repeated journeys to Puttaparthi point to a quieter narrative — one of faith, continuity, and a personal connection that transcends borders.
