Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has shared the first known photographs of himself in US custody since his capture in January, offering a glimpse of the ousted leader nearly eight months after he was taken to the United States.
In the images, Maduro is seen wearing a grey tracksuit and white sneakers, smiling and making victory signs with his hands. The photographs appear to have been taken inside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, where he remains in custody. The images carry a timestamp showing they were taken on June 25, 2026, although they were released publicly only on Sunday, August 30.
Maduro accompanied the photographs with a message addressed to his grandchildren, children and supporters. "A small gift of love and hope" was how he described the photos, writing, "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." He said he wanted supporters to know that he and his wife, Cilia Flores, remained strong. "I want you to know that we are standing firm, with our hearts full of your love," Maduro said, thanking supporters for their words, gestures, prayers and solidarity. In another part of the message, he said he and his supporters would remain "strong, calm and confident", adding that "God is with us" and that Venezuela would rise again.
Trial and Charges
Maduro and Flores are scheduled to stand trial on June 1, 2027, on charges that they participated in a decadeslong conspiracy to flood the United States with cocaine. The couple was captured in Caracas during a US military operation in January and is currently detained at a prison in Brooklyn, New York. Both have pleaded not guilty to charges including drug trafficking and possession of machine guns.
President Donald Trump, at the time of Maduro's capture, called Maduro an "illegitimate dictator" and the "kingpin of a vast criminal network", saying he and Flores were captured in an "extraordinary military operation."
Political Background
Maduro first assumed Venezuela's presidency in 2013. The US and dozens of other countries stopped recognizing him as the country's legitimate leader following the 2018 election, but Maduro remained in power until his capture by American forces.
Following Maduro's capture, former Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as acting president. Rodriguez has since reshuffled the country's armed forces and complied with several demands from Washington.
Oil Agreement
Over the weekend, Rodriguez announced a "historic" oil agreement allowing the US to operate oil fields in Venezuela. Trump said Friday that the deal gives the US majority control of more than 60 billion barrels of Venezuela's proven oil reserves.