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🇰🇷 South Korea /Economy & Trade

Why Did ‘Jailed’ Nicolás Maduro Post Photos Two Days After US-Venezuela Oil Deal?

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro posted photographs from detention in New York, showing him smiling and making a victory sign.
  • The post appeared two days after the United States and Venezuela agreed on an oil deal that has drawn opposition in Venezuela and sparked protests in Caracas.
  • Maduro faces four charges in the United States, while his wife faces three, and both deny the allegations and say they were unlawfully abducted.

Nicolás Maduro appeared in a white tracksuit and sneakers, smiling and flashing a V sign in photographs posted from his US detention. The images were dated June 25 and appeared on his social media account two days after the United States and Venezuela reached an oil agreement.

The post was titled “A small gift of love and hope.” It included a message addressed to Maduro’s grandchildren, children and “all the noble people who love us.” He wrote, “We stand firm, with your love filling our hearts,” adding that the love had reached him through prayers, constant action, solidarity and sincere support.

A small gift of love and hope

— Nicolás MaduroThe title of the social media post accompanying photographs taken while he was detained.

The timing drew attention because the agreement has faced growing opposition in Venezuela. US President Donald Trump said on June 28 that Washington had reached a deal giving it control of half of Venezuela’s oil reserves. Under the agreement, the United States would receive development rights for 17 undeveloped oil fields for 100 years and secure 55% of production.

Both the opposition and the governing camp in Venezuela have criticized the government led by Rodríguez, while large protests have continued in Caracas. Maduro’s message therefore appeared as a public sign of defiance and reassurance as debate over the agreement intensified.

I send these photos as a small gift to all my grandchildren, boys and girls, and all the noble people who love us.

— Nicolás MaduroMessage published alongside the photographs.

Agence France-Presse reported that Maduro is being held at the Brooklyn federal detention center in New York and cannot read newspapers or access the internet. He can speak with family and lawyers for 15 minutes at a time, with a monthly limit of 300 minutes. His son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, said his father was healthy and spent his time reading the Bible.

Maduro’s X account has posted calls for his release almost daily since his arrest, suggesting that associates are operating it on his behalf. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken from Caracas by US special forces on January 3 and transported to the United States. They deny all charges and say they were illegally abducted. Their criminal trial is scheduled to begin on June 1 next year.

We stand firm, with your love filling our hearts.

— Nicolás MaduroMaduro’s message thanked supporters for their prayers, solidarity and support.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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