First Pics: Nicolás Maduro Shows Peace Signs From Jail

The first known photographs of Nicolás Maduro from behind bars have surfaced, offering a rare look at the ousted Venezuelan leader following his capture by US forces in Caracas.

Maduro appears noticeably thinner in the pictures, but he maintains a calm expression while smiling and flashing peace signs inside Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center.

He has been held at the facility for eight months while awaiting trial on drug trafficking charges. Maduro and his wife have both pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

Despite the serious charges and the possibility of life imprisonment if convicted, Maduro has maintained that he and his wife remain “strong, serene, and confident.”

The photographs have drawn attention because they show a visibly different Maduro from his earlier public appearances. His relaxed gestures also appear to signal that he is maintaining his composure despite the legal battle.

The pictures emerged days after President Donald Trump announced a major oil agreement involving the US and Venezuela. The deal reportedly gives the US majority control over Venezuela’s huge oil reserves.