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Maduro Sends First Message From U.S. Custody, Thanks Supporters

The post's authorship is in doubt given his limited communications in jail.

Overview

  • Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores had their accounts post Saturday on X and Telegram, thanking supporters and saying they felt steadfast, calm, and in constant prayer.
  • People close to Maduro say he has no internet access in the high‑security Brooklyn jail and only brief phone time, which makes it unclear who crafted or cleared the message.
  • U.S. forces captured Maduro in early January in Caracas and transferred him to New York to face U.S. charges tied to drug trafficking that could lead to a life sentence.
  • In federal court Thursday, Judge Alvin Hellerstein rejected a defense bid to dismiss the case after Maduro and Flores entered not‑guilty pleas.
  • Despite his detention in the United States, outlets note that Maduro‑aligned institutions still control Venezuela, a reality that complicates diplomacy and relief efforts.