Former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro has shared his first images from American custody since he was detained back in January. On Sunday, August 30, two new pictures were posted on his social media accounts, showing him dressed in a grey tracksuit and white sneakers. In the photographs, he is seen smiling and making a victory sign with his hands. These snapshots appear to have been captured inside the Metropolitan Detention Center located in Brooklyn, New York, where he is currently being held. However, these pictures are not recent; a timestamp on the images indicates they were taken on June 25, 2026, though they were officially released to the public on August 30.
Message to family and supporters
Alongside the photographs, Nicolas Maduro sent out a message dedicated to his grandchildren, children, and well-wishers. He wrote that he is sending these pictures as a small gift to all his grandchildren, children, and the good people who care for them. He expressed his desire for his supporters to know that he and his wife, Cilia Flores, are standing strong. Maduro stated that he wants everyone to know they remain resilient and their hearts are filled with the love of the people. He thanked his supporters for their kind words, gestures, prayers, and solidarity. In another part of his message, Maduro affirmed that he and his supporters will remain strong, calm, and full of confidence, adding that God is with them and Venezuela will rise again. The post can be viewed on Nicolas Maduro's X account.
Details visible in the photographs
In the two photos, Maduro is seen standing in front of a plain wall, setting a scene that resembles the interior of a detention facility. In one image, he is wearing glasses and raising both hands to make a victory sign. In the second picture, he holds his glasses in one hand while making the victory gesture with the other. According to reports, Maduro appears noticeably thinner compared to his appearance before his capture. It is understood that these images were captured during Father's Day week back in June.
January arrest and federal charges
To recap, Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were seized in Caracas back in January during a US military operation and subsequently transported to the United States. They have been housed in Brooklyn, facing multiple federal charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offenses, all of which they deny. Maduro has consistently maintained that his detention is illegal and has sustained his political stance despite being held in US custody. According to reports, a US federal court has scheduled his trial to begin on June 1, 2027.
