"I send these photos as a small gift for all my grandchildren, boys and girls, and everyone who loves us. We want you to know that we remain strong, with hearts full of your love," read a post on 30/8 on the social media account of Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan president arrested by the US.
The two accompanying photos show Maduro standing inside a detention center in Brooklyn, New York. He wore a grey tracksuit, smiled, and made a V-sign, a symbol of peace. The former Venezuelan leader appears to have lost significant weight since US special forces arrested him in January.
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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the detention center on 25/6. Photo: X/NicolasMaduro
These are the first photos showing Maduro in detention. Camera data indicates the two photos were taken on 25/6, one day after a dual earthquake disaster in Venezuela resulted in over 6,500 fatalities.
"We will remain strong, calm, and confident. God is with us and will guide us. Venezuela will rise again," the post on Maduro's account stated.
The photos were released two days after Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodriguez announced a "historic" agreement allowing the US to operate oil fields in the South American nation.
Rodriguez, who is governing the country under significant pressure from the US, stated she chose "the diplomatic path" because she wants Venezuela to become an "energy superpower".
US special forces arrested President Maduro and his wife in Caracas in January following a raid. They are being held in Brooklyn awaiting trial on charges of drug trafficking and weapons possession. Maduro and his wife deny these accusations.
It is unclear who posted the two photos to Maduro's account. According to sources close to the Venezuelan President, Maduro is not allowed to read newspapers or use the Internet while detained. However, he is permitted to make phone calls to his family and lawyer for approximately 300 minutes each month, with each call lasting a maximum of 15 minutes.
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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the detention center on 25/6. Photo: X/NicolasMaduro
The detention center holding Maduro has not commented on the two photos.
Nicolas Maduro Guerra, Maduro's son, stated his father is healthy and studying the Bible. A federal court in New York announced in July that the trial for Maduro and his wife will begin on 1/6/2027. If convicted of conspiring to transport cocaine into the US, they face potential life imprisonment.
Pham Giang (AFP, Fox News)
