Nicolás Maduro Guerra, often referred to as "Nicolasito," used his father's final words before his capture to assert that the former Venezuelan leader would have supported the oil agreement between Venezuela and the United States announced by Trump on August 28.
The Venezuelan National Assembly member shared a segment of an interview on Instagram, recorded on December 31, 2025, between Nicolás Maduro and journalist Ignacio Ramonet. This interview took place mere hours before U.S. forces apprehended Maduro in Caracas during the operation named "Absolute Resolution."
Maduro's Final Interview Before Capture
According to Ramonet's account in Le Monde Diplomatique Chile, this interview was conducted in an unprecedented format known as a "podcar," a podcast recorded while Maduro was driving his own vehicle through Caracas. Cilia Flores, his wife, and then-Communication Minister Freddy Ñáñez accompanied him, without any visible security detail. The conversation lasted for an hour and four minutes.
During this exchange, Maduro expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with Washington:
"Everything is possible except military confrontation. We must engage in serious discussions, armed with facts. The U.S. government is aware, as we've communicated this to many of their representatives: if they are serious about discussing a drug trafficking agreement, we are ready," Maduro said in the snippet highlighted by Nicolasito.
If the U.S. desires oil, Venezuela is prepared for American investments, similar to arrangements with Chevron. Whenever, wherever, and however they want. And if they seek comprehensive economic development agreements, we are prepared for that as well, he added.
Nevertheless, in the same session, he warned about the limitations of this openness:
"The American public must understand that our Southern peoples have the right to exist and live... The imposition of a new colonial model, under the Monroe Doctrine or any doctrine, is unacceptable... A model where Southern countries must resign to being colonies of a power and slaves to new masters... That is unviable."
Less than 36 hours after this interview, in the early hours of January 3, 2026, Maduro was captured and taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he remains imprisoned alongside Cilia Flores.
Nicolasito as Spokesperson for the U.S. Deal
Maduro Guerra's endorsement of the agreement is notable given his own legal challenges: the Southern District of New York's Prosecutor included him in a drug trafficking indictment in January 2026, with Washington demanding his extradition to Caracas weeks later.
Despite this, the deputy publicly thanked the U.S. government that legally pursues his family:
"I am deeply grateful to the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with the U.S. government, for their willingness to develop this agreement."
Trump hailed the pact as "the largest oil deal in world history," involving the development of 17 strategic fields with an estimated 65 billion barrels of proven reserves, an investment exceeding $100 billion, and more than $209 billion in taxes for the Venezuelan state.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez supported it in a televised speech this Saturday, though a U.S. official quoted by CBS indicated that the deal would include a 100-year concession granting the U.S. a 55% stake in the joint venture, contradicting the 25 years announced by Rodríguez.
First Images of Maduro from Prison
Alongside his political message, Maduro Guerra released the first photos of his father from Brooklyn, dated June 25, 2026, showing him smiling and making a "V" for victory sign against a concrete block wall, dressed in a gray tracksuit and white Nike sneakers.
The accompanying message carried a spiritual tone: "I send these photos as a small gift to all my grandchildren, to the boys and girls, and to all the noble people who love us. I want you to know that we stand firm, with our hearts full of your love."
Nicolás Maduro's trial in the United States is scheduled for June 1, 2027, as stated by Judge Alvin Hellerstein in a resolution issued in July this year.
Key Insights into the U.S.-Venezuela Oil Deal
What was the nature of the interview conducted with Nicolás Maduro?
The interview was conducted in a unique format called a "podcar," which was a podcast recorded while Nicolás Maduro was driving through the streets of Caracas.
How did Maduro Guerra respond to the U.S. oil agreement?
Despite his own legal issues, Maduro Guerra publicly expressed gratitude towards the U.S. government for their willingness to develop the oil agreement.
What are the terms of the oil deal between Venezuela and the U.S.?
The deal includes the development of 17 strategic oil fields, with an estimated 65 billion barrels of reserves, and involves an investment exceeding $100 billion. It also projects over $209 billion in taxes for Venezuela.