Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was detained by the United States during a military intervention in Venezuela on January 3, sent a message to the Venezuelan people on the occasion of Pentecost, a holiday celebrated in the Catholic world.
Maduro, who is being held in a prison in New York, shared a post on his X account for Pentecost.
In the note he shared alongside a poster bearing the title “Constitutional President,” Maduro wrote:
“Dear people of Venezuela and peoples of the world: We embrace this Sunday of Prayer, Action, and Unity with faith, love, and gratitude. Pentecost. The Holy Spirit upon the world!”
While sharing the poster featuring himself and his wife, Cilia Flores, Maduro also included quotations from the Bible and called on Venezuelans to show wisdom and humility.
Maduro’s post was interpreted by Latin American media as “an effort to preserve his political legitimacy.”
Reports published in Latin American media stated that Maduro’s emphasis on themes such as “faith, reconciliation, and unity,” along with his use of the signature “Constitutional President,” was seen as an attempt to maintain his political legitimacy in Venezuela despite being imprisoned in New York.
Trial Process in New York
Following a large-scale operation carried out by the United States in Venezuela on January 3, former President Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were captured and transferred to New York.
Maduro and his wife, whom U.S. President Donald Trump said would face charges of “narco-terrorism,” rejected all accusations and maintained that they were innocent.
Shackled Defense in Court
During the second hearing of the case held in New York on Thursday, the former Venezuelan leader’s physical appearance drew attention.
According to information reported by a Sputnik correspondent, Maduro appeared noticeably thinner and was brought into the courtroom wearing an olive-green prison uniform with shackles on his feet.