Deposed Venezuelan President Maduro Says He’s ‘Doing Well’ in U.S. Jail Ahead of Trial

Deposed Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro says he is “doing well” in U.S. custody as he and his wife, Cilia Flores, await trial on federal charges, according to his son.

In a video released Saturday by Venezuela’s ruling PSUV party, Maduro’s son and lawmaker Nicolás Maduro Guerra quoted his father as saying, “We are doing well. We are fighters.” The brief statement marks one of the first public updates on the former leader’s condition since he and Flores were taken into U.S. custody.

Maduro and his wife were captured and transported to New York following a dramatic U.S. military operation on January 3 that deposed him from power in Caracas. They have been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, a federal holding facility where high-profile detainees await trial. Maduro and Flores have both pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including narco-terrorism and drug-trafficking conspiracy, during a Manhattan court arraignment earlier this month.

In their initial U.S. court appearance, Maduro declared himself “innocent” and insisted he remains Venezuela’s legitimate president. Prosecutors allege the pair led a wide-ranging criminal enterprise involving cocaine imports and other illicit activities; if convicted, they face severe penalties.

The former Venezuelan leader’s comments from custody, relayed through his son, come amid ongoing political upheaval in Venezuela. Interim authorities in Caracas are pursuing diplomatic engagement with Washington while Maduro loyalists continue to rally in support of the ousted president.

A future court hearing is scheduled for March, underscoring the start of what is expected to be a lengthy and closely watched legal process.