Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has released two photographs believed to show him inside a detention centre in the United States.
The pictures are the first images of Maduro since he was captured and taken to the US in January.
In the photographs, Maduro is wearing a grey tracksuit and raising both hands to make a peace sign. He also appears to have lost considerable weight.
Maduro shared the pictures on Sunday through X and Telegram, along with a message to his family, grandchildren and supporters.
He described the photographs as a small gift to his grandchildren, children and supporters. He also assured them that he and his wife, Cilia Flores, remained strong and confident despite their detention.
The photographs were dated June 25, a day after two earthquakes struck northern Venezuela. The earthquakes reportedly killed more than 6,500 people and caused widespread destruction.
Maduro and Flores are being held in Brooklyn, New York, over drug trafficking and firearm possession charges. Both have denied the allegations.
US special forces reportedly captured the couple in Caracas in January and transported them to the United States, where they have remained in custody.
The AFP news agency said it contacted the detention centre to verify the photographs and find out whether their release had been authorised. However, the centre had not responded at the time of the report.
Maduro’s latest message came two days after his successor, interim President Delcy Rodriguez, announced what she described as a “historic” oil agreement that would allow the United States to operate oil fields in Venezuela.
A source close to Maduro said the former president has no access to newspapers or the internet while in detention. However, he is allowed to communicate with his family and lawyers by telephone for about 300 minutes each month.
Maduro and Flores are expected to stand trial in the United States on June 1, 2027.
