Captured Maduro Grins, Flashes Peace Signs in First Photos From Brooklyn Prison

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has appeared in newly released photographs from his detention in Brooklyn, giving the public its first known glimpse of him inside a New York prison since U.S. forces captured him during a military operation in Caracas in January, as reported by Fox News.

Maduro, who is facing drug trafficking charges in the United States, has been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn for eight months after being flown to the U.S. following the operation.

The photographs were posted Sunday to Maduro’s social media accounts. In the images, he is wearing a matching gray sweatsuit and white sneakers while standing against a plain wall.

He appears noticeably thinner than in previous public appearances and is shown smiling while holding up peace signs.

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Maduro described the photographs as a message of encouragement for his family and supporters.

Venezuela’s Maduro releases new photos from prison. pic.twitter.com/pwYAhQT1ff

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“We will remain strong, serene, and confident” and “Venezuela will be reborn,” Maduro said in his message accompanying the images.

“I send these photos as a small gift to all my grandsons and granddaughters, to the boys and girls, and to all the noble people who love us,” Maduro said.

“I want you to know that we stand firm, with our hearts full of your love, that love that reaches us transformed into prayer, into constant action, into solidarity and true support. Infinite thanks for every word, for every gesture, for every blessing.”

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“Enjoy this small gift with joy and hope. Cilia and I embrace you forever, with our souls devoted to you and with our faith in God intact,” he added.

Maduro was referring to his wife, Cilia Flores, who was also transported to New York and is facing related drug trafficking charges.

Although the images were posted Sunday morning, timestamps attached to the two photographs indicate that they were taken June 25.

That was one day after two major earthquakes struck northern Venezuela near Caracas, killing more than 6,500 people, according to The Associated Press.

The photographs were made public two days after President Donald Trump announced a major development in U.S.-Venezuela relations.

Under the agreement announced by Trump, Venezuela agreed to give the United States majority control over 65 billion barrels of oil from the country’s reserves.

The agreement represents a significant development for the American oil market as the ongoing war with Iran continues to put pressure on energy prices.

Trump has promoted the deal as a major development for American energy access and the U.S. economy.

Maduro’s detention dates back to the January U.S. military operation in Caracas that resulted in his capture and subsequent transfer to the United States.

Since arriving at the Metropolitan Detention Center, Maduro has reportedly spent a significant amount of his time reading the Bible, according to his son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra.

Maduro Guerra discussed his father’s detention with El País in May. He said the former Venezuelan leader had been reading the Bible and exchanging books while in custody.

According to the report, Maduro also has 510 minutes per month, equivalent to 8.5 hours, for conversations with people outside the prison.

Maduro and Flores are scheduled to go on trial in New York in June 2027. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

The couple faces potential life sentences if a jury finds them guilty of conspiring to send cocaine into the United States.

The release of the photographs provides a rare public look at Maduro since his capture.

The former Venezuelan leader has largely remained out of public view during his detention, with information about his activities coming primarily through family members and reports.

The photographs also come as the Trump administration pursues a new relationship with Venezuela centered in part on the country’s substantial oil reserves.

For Maduro, however, the immediate issue remains his pending federal case in New York. He and Flores have denied the allegations by pleading not guilty, and their scheduled trial remains set for June 2027.

Until then, Maduro is expected to remain in federal custody while his case proceeds through the U.S. judicial system.

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