Detained former Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro has issued his first public message from a United States prison, expressing gratitude to his supporters nearly three months after his dramatic capture by U.S. forces.
In a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Maduro, alongside his wife Cilia Flores, said they remain “steadfast” and spiritually strong despite their incarceration. The message read in part: “We are well, steadfast, serene and in constant prayer,” adding that the couple had received an outpouring of encouragement through messages, emails, and letters.
“We have received your communications… every expression of support fills our souls and strengthens us spiritually,” the statement continued, though it remains unclear who directly posted the message on their behalf, as both have reportedly had limited or no direct access to the internet while in custody.
Maduro and Flores are currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, following their capture in Caracas during a high-risk U.S. military operation on January 3, 2026. The operation, which involved American commandos, marked an unprecedented move against a sitting head of state and triggered global political reactions.
The former leader is facing multiple federal charges in the United States, including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine trafficking, offences that could result in life imprisonment if proven in court. Maduro has consistently denied all allegations and maintains his innocence, describing himself as a legitimate leader and, at times, a “prisoner of war.”
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His message comes amid ongoing legal proceedings in New York and a politically fluid situation in Venezuela, where Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed interim leadership following his removal from power.
The statement has also surfaced against the backdrop of continued protests by both supporters and critics of Maduro across different parts of the world, underscoring the deep political divisions tied to his legacy.
While the timing and authorship of the online post remain somewhat opaque, the message signals Maduro’s first direct attempt to reconnect with his political base since his detention, framing his ordeal in spiritual terms and reinforcing a narrative of resilience as his legal battle unfolds in the United States.
