Trump revealed the first image after Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela's leader, was captured and brought aboard a U.S. warship. The photo clearly shows Maduro handcuffed, wearing dark glasses over his eyes, and equipped with a life vest. Behind him are drug enforcement officers maintaining strict security.
On 4 Jan 2026 GMT+7, U.S. President Donald Trump posted a photo on his Truth Social account showing a person he identified as Nicolás Maduro, President of Venezuela, after the U.S. military captured him and brought him aboard the USS Iwo Jima following a major operation in Venezuela.
Trump stated, "The United States has successfully conducted a large-scale operation against Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro along with his wife before deporting them."
John Miller, CNN's chief legal and intelligence analyst, explained that the photo shows Maduro handcuffed and wearing dark glasses covering his eyes, a measure to prevent the detainee from seeing the route and procedures during transfer from Caracas to the U.S.
Additionally, Maduro is seen wearing a foldable life vest around his neck that can be deployed as a luminous life vest in emergencies, consistent with military safety protocols on the warship.
In the background of the image, personnel wearing jackets marked "DEA"—the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration—are visible. This DOJ agency enforces laws against drug trafficking, production, and distribution both domestically and internationally.
The release of this image further underscores the political tension between the U.S. and Venezuela amid international criticism that the operation may violate state sovereignty and could escalate regional conflicts in Latin America.
Source: CNN