Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has released two photographs appearing to show him inside a United States detention centre, marking the first images of the former leader since his abduction in January.
The photographs show Maduro dressed in a grey tracksuit, raising both hands in a peace sign. He also appears to have lost significant weight since he was captured and taken to the US.
Maduro shared the images on Sunday through X and Telegram, alongside a message addressed to his family, grandchildren and supporters.
He said the photographs were a small gift to his grandchildren, children and supporters, assuring them that he and his wife, Cilia Flores, remained strong and confident.
The timestamp on the photographs indicates that they were taken on June 25, a day after twin earthquakes struck northern Venezuela, killing more than 6,500 people and causing widespread destruction.
Maduro and Flores are being detained in Brooklyn, New York, over drug trafficking and firearm possession charges, allegations both have denied.
US special forces reportedly abducted the couple from Caracas in January before transporting them to the United States, where they have remained in custody.
The AFP news agency said it contacted the detention centre to confirm the authenticity of the photographs and whether their release had been authorised, but received no immediate response.
Maduro’s latest message came two days after his successor, interim President Delcy Rodriguez, announced what she described as a “historic” oil agreement allowing the United States to operate oil fields in Venezuela.
According to a source close to Maduro, the former leader has no access to newspapers or the internet in detention but can communicate with his family and lawyers by telephone for about 300 minutes each month.
Maduro and Flores are scheduled to face trial in the United States on June 1, 2027.
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