A stark image of change is drawing attention.
Former Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro, once known for appearing in public with ultra-expensive Swiss watches, was photographed behind bars flashing a peace sign — with a roughly $40 Casio on his wrist.
In newly released images from Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, the noticeably thinner socialist leader appeared to be wearing a G-Shock-style watch, a durable model listed through the jail commissary for $40.30, according to Bureau of Prisons records.
It is a dramatic step down from the high-end timepieces Maduro was accustomed to displaying during his years in power.
In December 2024, he was reportedly photographed wearing a limited-edition Hublot valued at about $85,000, according to Watches of Espionage.
Earlier that same year, the Venezuelan leader was also seen at a summit with another Hublot watch believed to be worth around $40,000 — allegedly a gift from late Argentine soccer icon and Maduro supporter Diego Maradona, the outlet reported.
Although Maduro has occasionally been spotted with more modest brands, including Citizen watches, his fondness for luxury accessories remained a recurring feature of his public image.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by US Special Forces during a Jan. 3 nighttime raid on their heavily fortified Caracas residence, an operation ordered by President Trump.
They were brought to New York, where they were indicted on charges of using their leadership positions to work with drug cartels to ship thousands of tons of cocaine into the US between 1999 and 2025.
They have both pleaded not guilty.
Last month, prosecutors with the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office and Maduro’s defense lawyers confirmed his trial will start in June 2027.
Shortly after his arrest, Maduro claimed he was destitute and said that the Venezuelan government should foot the bill for his legal defense.
However, the Trump administration said last year it had seized some $700 million from the ex-dictator — including mansions, cars, planes and jewelry.
Among the properties were a mansion in the Dominican Republic, a horse farm and a lux property in Florida.
Critics of the regime have long said he ran a system of patronage that allowed the elites to live the high life while the quality of living in the country plummeted and inflation soared.
