Nicolás Maduro has broken his public silence nearly six months after being removed from Venezuela and taken to New York by U.S. authorities, using Father's Day to publish a lengthy message describing what he called the "five dimensions" of being a father.
The message, posted on Maduro's official Instagram account, marks one of the most significant public communications attributed to the former Venezuelan leader since he was captured during a U.S. operation in Caracas on Jan. 3 and transported to New York to face criminal charges.
In the Father's Day statement, Maduro said he and his wife, Cilia Flores, wanted to send "love, respect and gratitude" to fathers while outlining five pillars that he believes define fatherhood.
The first dimension, according to Maduro, is "the Heavenly Father," describing God as the model fathers should follow to learn how to "protect, forgive, guide and love."
The second dimension is what Maduro called "the fatherland father," referring to Venezuelan independence hero Simón Bolívar.
"Bolívar continues to be inspiration and an eternal mandate for those of us who believe in a free and sovereign homeland," the statement reads.
Maduro then turned to his own family, dedicating the third dimension to his father, Nicolás de Jesús Maduro García.
"The third dimension is to thank the father who gave us the first hand, the first word, the first example," Maduro wrote. "On this day I honor my father."
The fourth dimension was dedicated to his political mentor, former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, whom Maduro described as a "father-teacher."
"Chávez taught us to love the people, to serve with humility and never surrender," the message states.
Finally, Maduro praised what he called the "father-people," including workers, farmers, laborers, young fathers, and grandfathers who help build families and communities throughout Venezuela.
The statement concluded with a biblical quotation from Proverbs 20:7 and a blessing for families in Venezuela and around the world.
The social media post comes months after Maduro's dramatic removal from power. On Jan. 3, President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured Maduro and Flores during an operation in Venezuela. The couple was subsequently flown to New York, where Maduro was later arraigned on federal charges including allegations related to narcotics trafficking and narco-terrorism. Maduro has pleaded not guilty and has repeatedly argued that he was "kidnapped" by the United States.
Since his transfer to New York, Maduro has made only a handful of public appearances. His first public remarks came shortly after arriving in the United States, when video released by U.S. officials showed him greeting agents with a brief "Happy New Year."
The Father's Day message also arrives as Maduro's public image continues to fade inside Venezuela. Reports indicate that many murals, billboards and symbols associated with his rule have been removed or painted over as the country moves on from his administration.
While it remains unclear whether Maduro personally authored the post, it was published through his verified social media account and represents his most detailed public message in months, combining religion, family and the political figures who shaped his rise to power.
