Nicolás Maduro shares photos from New York prison: "We are standing firm"

Venezuela's former leader Nicolás Maduro has shared images from his current confinement in a New York prison, stating he is "standing firm" despite the circumstances. Alongside his wife Cilia Flores, Maduro was apprehended by U.S. forces in January and is being held on drug trafficking and firearm possession charges, which they vehemently deny.

In a message posted on Telegram, Maduro expressed his gratitude to his grandchildren and fans, assuring them that they remain "strong, calm and confident" with God's support. The photos, taken on June 25 following devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, show Maduro wearing a gray tracksuit and making peace signs. He has reportedly lost weight since his arrest.

Despite his inability to access newspapers or the internet while imprisoned, Maduro is permitted limited telephone conversations with family and legal counsel. His impending trial in New York, set for June 1, 2027, carries the possibility of life imprisonment if found guilty of conspiring to transport cocaine into the U.S. Meanwhile, the United States has signed a historic oil agreement with Venezuela, granting American control over nearly 60 billion barrels of the country's proven oil reserves.