Former Venezuelan President Maduro shares first photos from detention in the United States

Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has released what appear to be the first photographs of him since he was captured and brought to the United States in January.

The two images show Maduro wearing a gray tracksuit and raising both hands in a peace sign. He also appears noticeably thinner than he did before his detention.

Maduro posted the photographs on Sunday via X and Telegram in a message directed to his family, grandchildren and supporters.

“I send these photos as a little gift to all my grandchildren, to the boys and girls and to all the good people who love us,” Maduro wrote in Spanish.

He added that he and those around him remained strong, calm and confident, saying: “God is with us. God will provide. Venezuela will rise again.”

The photos were reportedly taken in June

The timestamp attached to the photographs indicates that they were taken on June 25, a day after the two earthquakes struck northern Venezuela.

The earthquakes reportedly killed more than 6,500 people and caused widespread destruction in the affected areas.

The images emerged while Maduro is detained in Brooklyn, New York, alongside his wife Cilia Flores.

The two are accused of drug trafficking and possession of firearms in the United States, charges they have denied.

Questions about authenticity and liberation

The AFP news agency said it had contacted the detention center to verify whether the photographs were authentic and whether they had been authorized for release. No immediate response was received.

Maduro and Flores were reportedly picked up from Caracas by US special forces in January before being flown to the US, where they remain in custody.

A source close to Maduro said the former president has no access to newspapers or the Internet while in detention.

However, he is reportedly allowed to communicate by telephone with family and lawyers for about 300 minutes per month, with individual calls limited to 15 minutes.

Trial scheduled for 2027

Maduro and Flores will go on trial in the United States on June 1, 2027.

A federal court in New York has reportedly announced a trial date in late July.

Maduro’s latest communication came shortly after interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez announced what she described as a “historic” oil deal that would allow the United States to operate oil fields in Venezuela.

The development has increased international attention on Maduro’s detention and the evolving political and economic situation in Venezuela.

Al Jazeera