U.S. President Donald Trump shared this Saturday the first official image of Nicolás Maduro following his capture in a U.S. military operation in Venezuela. The photograph was posted on his social media platform Truth Social with the message “Nicolás Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima,” showing the Venezuelan leader handcuffed and wearing protective headphones while being transported after his arrest.
According to Trump, the operation that led to the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, began in the early hours of January 3, 2026, with attacks in Caracas and other strategic areas of Venezuela. He stated that both are being transferred to New York, where they would face charges in federal courts.
The release of this image marks the first visual confirmation of Maduro’s detention by U.S. forces, following an event that has sparked international reactions and intensified tensions between both countries.
Why is this photo so significant?
Because it provides the first public visual evidence of Maduro’s capture, something that until now had only been reported through official statements, generating an unprecedented global political and diplomatic impact.
