'Standing firm': Nicolas Maduro shares prison photos as gift to grandchildren and supporters

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has shared rare photographs from the New York prison where he has been held since his capture by US forces, saying he and his wife remain “standing firm.”

The images show Maduro in a gray tracksuit flashing peace signs as he awaits trial in the United States on several charges, which he denies. 

Maduro sends message to supporters from prison

Maduro posted the photographs on X on Sunday, August 30, describing them as a gift for his grandchildren, children and supporters. “I am sending these photos as a small gift to all my grandchildren, to the boys and girls, and to all the good people who love us,” he wrote.

“I want you to know that we are standing firm, with our hearts full of your love,” he added.

In the two photographs, Maduro is seen wearing a gray tracksuit and making peace signs with both hands. He appears to have lost considerable weight since he was captured in January.

Maduro’s prison photos were taken after deadly earthquakes in Venezuela

Although the photographs were released on August 30, camera data shows they were actually taken on June 25, a day after twin deadly earthquakes struck northern Venezuela and killed more than 6,500 people.

Maduro used the message accompanying the photographs to strike a reassuring tone, ending with a reference to his faith and Venezuela’s future.

“We will remain strong, calm and confident: God is with us. God will provide. Venezuela will rise again,” he wrote.

The timing of the photographs also comes as Venezuela undergoes a major political transition following Maduro’s removal and amid a rapidly changing relationship between Caracas and Washington.

Maduro and wife face US trial

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized in Caracas during a US military operation in January and are being held in a Brooklyn jail. Both face charges related to firearms possession and have denied the allegations.

Their trial in the United States is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2027. US prosecutors accuse Maduro of participating in a conspiracy to send cocaine into the country, while Maduro has maintained that he is innocent.

“I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the constitutional president of my country,” he said in Spanish during his January arraignment.

Maduro has also had limited access to the outside world while in custody. According to a source close to him, he cannot access newspapers or the internet but is allowed to speak with family members and lawyers by telephone for around 300 minutes a month, with individual calls limited to 15 minutes. His son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, has said the former leader is in good health and spends time studying the Bible.