Nicolas Maduro seen in cuffs and blindfold aboard USS Iwo Jima in first photo as he is flown to NYC
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: President Donald Trump shared the first photo of ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in US custody after the military operation in Venezuela.
The Venezuelan dictator has now been transported to New York and will face a long list of n***o-t*******m charges within the American judicial system.
First photo of ousted leader released by Trump
In the image released by Trump on Truth Social, Maduro is seen aboard the US Navy’s Iwo Jima, appearing blindfolded and wearing soundproof headphones.
He could be seen handcuffed and dressed in a Nike sweatsuit in the picture while holding a plastic water bottle and a partially cropped out law enforcement officer who could be seen maintaining a firm grip on his arm.
Although not visible in this specific photograph, Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, was also arrested as part of the same operation and faces extradition to the Southern District of New York for her alleged role in the n***o-t*******m scheme.
Maduro and wife transported to Metropolitan Detention Center
Upon his arrival in the United States, Maduro was taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, the same facility that has housed figures such as Ghislaine Maxwell and Sam Bankman-Fried.
It may be mentioned that the Venezuelan leader was captured during the early morning raid on January 3 by US forces from a "fortress"-like house residence in Venezuela.
The federal indictment against him is extensive, citing charges of n***o-t*******m conspiracy, c*****e importation, and the illegal possession of machine guns and destructive devices.
Notably, both his wife and son are named as co-defendants in the case.
Prison experts detail Maduro's special security housing unit
It may be noted that Maduro joins several other high-profile prisoners at MDC Brooklyn, including Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Due to the sensitive nature of his status, experts believe Maduro will be kept under strict supervision to ensure both security and order within the jail.
Judi Garrett, former assistant director at the Federal Bureau of Prisons, told Fox News Digital she expects Maduro to be held within a special housing unit when he arrives at MDC Brooklyn.
"I would expect Maduro would be held in a special housing unit at the outset and then moved into one of the 'special' units where other high-profile individuals have been held," Garrett said.
Furthermore, Garrett noted that the facility is well-prepared for the task, stating that MDC Brooklyn has "substantial experience with high-profile defendants."
