Ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has spoken publicly for the first time since his arrest, saying he and his wife, Cilia Flores, remain “steadfast” and “serene” while in detention in the United States.
The message, shared on Maduro’s social media account on Saturday, comes nearly three months after the couple were captured during a dramatic US military operation in Caracas in January and transferred to New York to face multiple criminal charges.
In the post, the couple expressed gratitude for the support they have received from sympathisers, saying messages, prayers, and letters have strengthened them spiritually during their time in custody. It remains unclear who published the statement on their behalf, as reports indicate they have limited access to communication channels while in detention.
Maduro and Flores are currently being held in a federal detention facility in Brooklyn, where they face charges including narcoterrorism conspiracy, importation, and weapons related offences. Both have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial in a case that could test the limits of US narcoterrorism laws.
Sources familiar with the situation say Maduro has been restricted to brief phone calls with family members and legal representatives, while also spending time reading religious texts. His son has publicly stated that the former leader remains calm and physically active despite his circumstances.
Maduro, who has described himself as a “prisoner of war,” was removed from power following the US led operation that dramatically reshaped Venezuela’s political landscape. Since then, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has assumed leadership, introducing reforms and attempting to ilise the country’s struggling economy.
The latest message from Maduro highlights his continued defiance and signals an effort to maintain political relevance even while facing serious legal challenges abroad.
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