Trump releases first picture of Nicolás Maduro in US custody

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: USA Today

Updated Jan. 3, 2026, 12:48 p.m. ET


President Donald Trump on Jan. 3 released the first photo of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima after his capture in an overnight U.S. military operation. The photo, posted to Trump's social media network Truth Social, shows Maduro in a gray sweatsuit, holding a water bottle and wearing what appeared to be sound-suppressing earmuffs and a dark covering over his eyes.

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were both captured in the operation that also included strikes on targets in Venezuela, he said. Both are named in a federal indictment accusing them of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and two illegal weapons counts. They will be taken to New York to face the charges, Trump said.

In a news conference, Trump said the United States will "run the country" until a "proper" transition of leadership can take place, without further detailing what U.S. involvement would look like. Maduro was pictured on the USS Iwo Jima, a U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship, where he was being held with his wife, Trump said.

They were removed from Venezuela by helicopter, he said on Fox News. "They're on a ship, but they'll be heading into New York," he said in a morning appearance on the network.


Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, pictured here after his capture aboard the USS Iwo Jima, is seen in this handout image, posted by U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social Jan. 3, 2026. The United States captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife in an overnight military operation on Jan. 3, 2026, President Donald Trump said, as explosions rocked Caracas and targets across the country. Donald Trump/Truth Social Via USA TODAY


Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/01/03/nicolas-maduro-picture-captured-venezuela/88006682007/

[underpants]

1. Very Saddam-esque

[angrychair]

2. Isn't it against the law

To use a POW as media propaganda?

[EX500rider]

3. I believe he is being held as a criminal detainee, not a POW nt

[angrychair]

6. Well that is convenient

Just refer to prisoners of war as just "prisoner" and problem solved I guess.

[Chrysanthemum]

9. You are absolutely right!

Trump called Maduro a prisoner of war. This photograph is a violation of the 3rd Geneva Convention, Article 13. That article states that a p.o.w. cannot be publicly put on as a show of the p.o.w.'s vulnerability.

Here's Article 13, with the relevant part highlighted:

Prisoners of war must at all times be humanely treated.
Any unlawful act or omission by the Detaining Power causing death or seriously endangering the health of a prisoner of war in its custody is prohibited, and will be regarded as a serious breach of the present Convention.
In particular, no prisoner of war may be subjected to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind which are not justified by the medical, dental or hospital treatment of the prisoner concerned and carried out in his interest.
Likewise, prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity.
Measures of reprisal against prisoners of war are prohibited.

[Bayard]

4. Blindfold and earmuffs

Why would that be necessary? Wonder if trump will mount his head on a wall at Mar-a-Lardo.

[Skittles]

5. can someone tell me why Maduro was SO EASY TO FIND?

seriously

[EX500rider]

7. Yeah I seriously wondeed if his Cuban security team sold him down the river for the wanted money and green cards

I read he had a Cuban security team

[Skittles]

8. the whole thing just stinks

I don't trust ANYTHING coming from Trump.2 - NOPE

[Polybius]

11. Well, he was in his presidential palace

I'm sure we had blueprints of the layout.

[kimbutgar]

10. It looks so AI

[usonian]

12. Bad boy gets punished. For having better hair?