Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Maduro Shares Jail Photos, Says He Is Standing Firm
Nicolás Maduro used to be Venezuela’s leader and is now being held in a jail in Brooklyn, New York.
He shared two pictures of himself wearing a gray tracksuit and making peace signs.
Maduro said he and his wife, Cilia Flores, are staying strong.
They are accused by U.S. authorities of drug trafficking and possessing firearms, but they deny the accusations.
Maduro said he wanted to send a reassuring message to his family and supporters.
He cannot use the internet or read newspapers in jail, but he can call his family and lawyers for limited periods.
His son says Maduro is doing well and studies the Bible.
Maduro and Flores are scheduled to go on trial in June 2027.
Meanwhile, interim President Delcy Rodríguez is working with the United States on diplomacy and an oil agreement.
Former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro posted two photographs from a Brooklyn jail, saying he and his wife remain strong.
Maduro and Cilia Flores were captured in Caracas during a U.S. military operation in January and face drug-trafficking and firearms-possession charges they deny.
Maduro said the photos were a message to his grandchildren, children, and supporters; he appeared thinner and made peace signs.
The images were posted Sunday but camera data indicates they were taken June 25, after deadly earthquakes struck northern Venezuela.
Maduro’s trial is scheduled for June 1, 2027, while interim President Delcy Rodríguez pursues diplomacy and a U.S. oil agreement.
- Who
- Former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores; interim President Delcy Rodríguez is involved in related political developments.
- What
- Maduro posted photographs from jail and said he and Flores were remaining strong while awaiting trial on U.S. charges.
- When
- The photographs were posted Sunday; camera data indicates they were taken June 25, and the trial is scheduled to begin June 1, 2027.
- Where
- Maduro and Flores are detained in a Brooklyn, New York jail after being captured in Caracas.
- Why
- Maduro said he wanted to reassure his family and supporters, while U.S. authorities are prosecuting the couple on drug-trafficking and firearms-possession charges.
Maduro and Supporters
U.S. Authorities and Interim Government
Criminal charges
Maduro and Supporters
Maduro and Cilia Flores reject the U.S. allegations of drug trafficking and firearms possession.
U.S. Authorities and Interim Government
U.S. authorities are detaining and prosecuting the couple on those charges.
Characterization of the capture
Maduro and Supporters
One account describes Maduro as abducted and the operation as a kidnapping by American forces.
U.S. Authorities and Interim Government
Another account describes Maduro and Flores as seized or captured during a U.S. military operation in Caracas.
Venezuela's political direction
Maduro and Supporters
Maduro’s message emphasized resilience, saying Venezuela would remain strong and rise again.
U.S. Authorities and Interim Government
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez says she has chosen diplomacy with the United States and wants Venezuela to become an energy powerhouse.
- Detention location
- A jail in Brooklyn, New York
- Capture
- Maduro and Cilia Flores were seized in Caracas during a U.S. military operation in January.
- Charges
- Drug trafficking and firearms possession; both defendants deny the allegations.
- Photographs
- Two images showed Maduro in a gray tracksuit making peace signs; camera data indicates they were taken June 25.
- Trial date
- June 1, 2027
- Prison communication
- Maduro can speak with family and lawyers for approximately 300 minutes per month, with calls limited to 15 minutes.
- Venezuelan oil policy
- Interim President Delcy Rodríguez announced an agreement allowing the United States to operate oil fields in Venezuela.
