Maduro Shares First Photos From US Detention
Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has posted the first photographs showing him in United States detention since he was abducted from Caracas in January.
US special forces abducted Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from the Venezuelan capital and flew them to the United States, where they are being held at a facility in Brooklyn, New York, on drug trafficking and firearm possession charges. Both deny the charges. A US judge has set a 2027 trial date for Maduro and his wife.
In the two photos, Maduro is shown wearing a grey tracksuit and making peace signs with his hands, appearing to have lost considerable weight since his capture. The images were posted Sunday on X and Telegram, though the timestamps indicate they were actually taken on June 25th, one day after twin earthquakes killed more than 6,500 people and caused widespread destruction across northern Venezuela.
“I am sending these photos as a small gift to all my grandchildren, to the boys and girls, and to all the good people who love us,” Maduro wrote in Spanish. “I want you to know that we are standing firm, with our hearts full of your love. We will remain strong, calm and confident: God is with us. God will provide. Venezuela will rise again.”
AFP said it attempted to contact the detention facility to confirm the authenticity of the photos and whether their release had been authorized, but had not received a response.
The post came two days after Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who succeeded Maduro, announced what she called a “historic” oil agreement allowing the United States to operate oil fields in Venezuela. Venezuela has said it retains sovereignty despite the deal, and US President Trump has said the arrangement will help refill American petroleum reserves.