Venezuela’s Maduro shares first photos from US detention

Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has shared photographs appearing to show him in US detention, two days after a US-Venezuela oil deal was announced. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were reportedly abducted by US special forces from Caracas and are being held in Brooklyn, New York, on drug trafficking and firearm possession charges, which they deny. Maduro posted the photos on X and Telegram, stating he was sending them to his grandchildren and loved ones, and expressed his resolve. The images, which appear to have been taken on June 25, show him in a grey tracksuit and making peace signs, appearing to have lost weight. The posts were published on Sunday, following an oil agreement that allows the US to operate oil fields in Venezuela.

Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has released photos of himself from a New York prison, marking the first known images of him since his January capture by U.S. forces. The photos, posted to his social media, show him in a gray sweatsuit, appearing thinner and flashing peace signs. Maduro stated the images were a "gift of hope" to his supporters, assuring them of his strength and faith in Venezuela's future. These photos were taken on June 25, shortly after major earthquakes in Venezuela and two days after President Donald Trump announced a deal for U.S. control over Venezuelan oil reserves. Maduro and his wife are facing drug trafficking charges and are scheduled to go to trial in June 2027, having pleaded not guilty.