NEW YORK: Two photographs appearing to show former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in US detention emerged Sunday, months after American forces captured him in Caracas and brought him to New York.
The images were published August 30 on Maduro’s official social-media accounts. They show the 63-year-old wearing a grey tracksuit and making peace signs. Camera data indicates the photographs date from June 25.
ABC News said it confirmed that the images were not AI-generated. However, it could not independently verify where or exactly when photographers took them. It also remains unclear who took the pictures.
A message posted with the images said Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were “standing firm” and thanked their family and supporters. Both remain detained in Brooklyn, New York.
US forces captured Maduro and Flores during a January 3 military operation at their Caracas residence. Washington subsequently brought them to New York to face federal criminal charges.
Read: Nicolás Maduro Detained at MDC Brooklyn After U.S. Trial Proceedings Begin
US prosecutors accuse Maduro of narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking and weapons-related offences. The charges remain allegations. Maduro and Flores have pleaded not guilty.
Read: Nicolas Maduro Detained in New York After US Raid
US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein has scheduled their trial to begin on June 1, 2027. Defence lawyers have also said they intend to challenge the prosecution, including on claims that Maduro has immunity as a former head of state. The photographs are the first known images from Maduro’s detention since his January capture.
