Maduro’s First Message from Prison: "I am Well and Not Sad"

From his prison cell in Brooklyn, detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro confirmed that he is "doing well," according to his son, National Assembly member Nicolás Maduro Guerra. Guerra explained in a video on Saturday night that lawyers informed him his father remains strong, quoting him: "We are not sad (referring also to his wife Cilia Flores); we are well, we are fighters."

Release of Political Prisoners: Meanwhile, Venezuela continued releasing political prisoners yesterday, including a member of opposition leader María Corina Machado's party. This comes one week after U.S. forces captured Maduro. The human rights organization "Foro Penal" confirmed that five individuals were released, including Virgilio Laverde, a youth coordinator for the "Vente Venezuela" party. These releases were a key opposition demand following Maduro's arrest on January 3rd.

U.S.-Venezuela Talks: Despite Maduro’s detention, the Trump administration has opened the door for cooperation with the transitional authorities. Both sides have begun talks to restore diplomatic relations severed in 2019. U.S. diplomats recently visited Caracas to discuss reopening the embassy. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in utilizing Venezuelan oil following Maduro's ousting and has signed an executive order to protect funds from oil sales. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez pledged cooperation regarding oil interests while simultaneously calling for national sovereignty.