The first image of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro since his reported capture was shared early Sunday by US President Donald Trump, showing Maduro blindfolded and dressed in a tracksuit aboard a US Navy warship.
Trump posted the image on Truth Social with the caption, “Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima.” The photograph marks the first visual confirmation following US claims that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during American military operations in Venezuela and subsequently flown out of the country.
According to US officials, American forces carried out strikes in Venezuela before detaining Maduro and Flores. Speaking to Fox News, Trump said the operation had been planned several days earlier but was delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions. He described the mission as highly secure and said no US personnel or aircraft were lost during the operation.
In a separate Truth Social post, Trump said the mission was conducted in coordination with US law enforcement agencies.
US Attorney General Pamela Bondi later announced that Maduro and Flores have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. She said Maduro faces charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons-related offenses. Bondi added that the Venezuelan leader would be prosecuted in US courts.
The dramatic capture comes amid sharply escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas, with US officials framing the operation as a major step toward holding the Venezuelan leadership accountable.