Maduro's First US Jail Photos Show Weight Loss, Peace Signs Amid Oil Deal

Key points

• Maduro posted photos from Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center showing him in a gray tracksuit, smiling, and making peace signs.
• The images, timestamped June 25, 2026, show Maduro has lost significant weight since his January capture by US special forces.
• The posts were released two days after President Trump announced a deal giving the US control over 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil.
• Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring to ship cocaine into the US and face a trial starting June 1, 2027.
• Maduro stated he and his wife remain 'strong, serene, and confident' and that 'Venezuela will be reborn.'

Background

Maduro and Flores were captured in a January 2026 raid in Caracas and brought to New York. A federal judge set their trial for June 2027, with pre-trial hearings scheduled for November 2026. Venezuela is currently led by interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who has established closer ties with the Trump administration.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Post emphasizes Maduro's physical change and demeanor, noting he appears 'slimmed-down' and is 'beaming.' Fox News highlights the timing of the photos, released just two days after the US-Venezuela oil deal, and quotes Maduro's message of hope to supporters. Al Jazeera focuses on the geopolitical context, noting the photos were posted after the oil agreement and that AFP could not immediately verify their authenticity with the detention center. All sources agree on the core facts of the photos' content and the 2027 trial date.

Why it matters

The release of these photos signals Maduro's continued public messaging from US custody and coincides with a significant shift in US-Venezuela relations, marked by the oil deal. It provides a visual update on the former president's condition and attitude as his high-profile trial approaches.

What to watch

Maduro and Flores are expected to face trial in New York starting June 1, 2027. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for November 17, 2026, where Maduro's lawyers may invoke sovereign immunity. The US and Venezuela will continue to negotiate the terms of the oil deal.