Maduro defiant as he shares US prison photos

Venezuela's former president Nicolas Maduro defiantly shared photos on social media, claiming he remains steadfast despite being detained by U.S. forces since January. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during a U.S. military operation in Caracas on charges of drug trafficking and firearms possession, which both deny.

In the photographs, Maduro is seen in a grey tracksuit, making peace signs, and appears to have lost significant weight since his capture. The images were purportedly taken on June 25, following a devastating earthquake that killed over 6,500 people in northern Venezuela. In the message, Maduro vowed, "We will remain strong, calm and confident: God is with us.

God will provide. Venezuela will rise again." This statement came two days after interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced a historic oil agreement allowing U.S. access to Venezuelan oil fields. Rodriguez governs under significant pressure from Washington, choosing diplomacy to make Venezuela an energy powerhouse. Maduro, who has no access to newspapers or the internet in prison, is allowed to communicate with family and lawyers for about 300 minutes monthly, with a maximum of 15 minutes per call.

His son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, reported his father to be in good health, spending his time studying the Bible. The U.S. trial for Maduro and his wife is scheduled to begin on June 1 next year.