Social Media from Jail? First Photos of Maduro's Life Behind Bars Released

Photos have been released showing former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was ousted in a U.S. military operation earlier this year and is currently on trial in the United States, smiling and flashing a peace sign from inside a detention facility.

Maduro, who is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, shared updates on his life behind bars through social media.

In two photos dated June 25, he is seen wearing a gray prison tracksuit, smiling, and making a V-sign with his fingers.

In the post, Maduro wrote, "I send a small gift filled with love and hope to all my grandchildren and all the noble people who love us."

He also stated, "We stand firm with hearts full of love," and quoting a Bible verse, added, "God will open the way. Venezuela will rise again."

This is the first time images of Maduro inside the federal detention center have been made public.

It remains unconfirmed who took the pictures and who uploaded them to social media.

On Maduro's X account, which has 4.4 million followers, posts are uploaded almost daily featuring what appears to be a photo taken during his presidency, along with a count of how many days have passed since he was abducted.

Maduro, who ruled Venezuela for over a decade, was arrested during a U.S. military raid in Caracas on January 3 and transferred to the United States, where he is awaiting trial on drug and weapons-related charges.

He has denied all charges and claimed to be a "prisoner of war."

Following Maduro's ouster, the United States recognized Delcy Rodríguez, his close aide and vice president, as interim president, and effectively controls Venezuela's oil revenues and reserves.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Venezuela on the 28th, praising it as the "largest oil deal in world history."

The core of the agreement is that the United States will obtain development rights for undeveloped oil fields in Venezuela for 100 years, developing 17 oil fields, while securing 55 percent of the production.

(Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Seo Byeong-wook | Design by Yang Hye-min | Produced by SBS Digital News | Image source: Maduro's X account)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.