Venezuela’s Interim President, Delsy Rodríguez, Devotee of Sathya Sai Baba; Visits Prashanti Nilayam in Puttaparthi

New Delhi: After being appointed as Venezuela’s interim president following the dramatic removal of Nicolás Maduro from power, Delsy Eloína Rodríguez has drawn attention for her spiritual connection with the Indian guru, Sathya Sai Baba. Rodríguez, a devout follower of Sathya Sai Baba, has visited his ashram, Prashanti Nilayam, in Puttaparthi, Karnataka, multiple times, furthering the ties between her and the Indian spiritual leader.

Spiritual Connections Amid Political Turmoil
Rodríguez’s bond with Sathya Sai Baba has come to light amid Venezuela’s ongoing political turmoil, where she has assumed leadership following Maduro’s ousting. She has visited the ashram, located approximately 150 kilometers from Bengaluru, on several occasions. Her spiritual journey with Sathya Sai Baba reflects a significant aspect of her personal life, attracting attention both in Venezuela and internationally.

Sathya Sai Baba’s vast following has made his influence noteworthy in political circles, though the Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSCT) has clarified that due to the sheer number of devotees, they do not comment on individual followers. However, Rodríguez’s personal visits to the ashram have been confirmed.

Political Context and Spiritual Ties
Rodríguez’s association with Sathya Sai Baba has stirred conversations, especially in the backdrop of the political shifts in Venezuela. Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were also followers of the guru. However, SSCT Trustee R.J. Ratnakar emphasized that belief in Sathya Sai Baba does not necessarily mean adherence to his teachings in every way. Maduro’s association with the guru dates back to the early 2000s, and his connection has been publicly acknowledged.

Confirmation of Visits
Delsy Rodríguez’s first visit to Puttaparthi was in August 2023, as confirmed by an official video obtained by Times of India from the Sathya Sai Media Center. In the video, she is seen paying respects to Sathya Sai Baba, accompanied by her colleague, Capaya Rodríguez, who was the Venezuelan Ambassador to India at that time. The video also details that the visit was aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties between India and Venezuela, with a focus on improving bilateral trade and economic relations.

While official records confirm that Rodríguez visited Prashanti Nilayam in August 2023, it is believed that her spiritual journey to India could have started even earlier. She is also speculated to have visited the ashram again in October 2024, though this has not been officially verified.