Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro posts first photos since capture: 'gift of love and hope'

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Sunday posted the first photos of himself since his capture by U.S. forces in January. 

In the photos posted to his X account, the ousted president displays peace signs and smiles as he stands in sweatpants, a sweat shirt and sneakers. 

"A Small Gift of Love and Hope I send these photos as a small gift to all my grandsons and granddaughters, to the boys and girls, and to all the noble people who love us," Maduro wrote on the post, translated from Spanish. 

In another post, Maduro posted a close up with his glasses off, also flashing a peace sign. 

"I want you to know that we stand firm, with our hearts full of your love, that love that reaches us transformed into prayer, into constant action, into solidarity and true support. Infinite thanks for every word, for every gesture, for every blessing," Maduro wrote. 

In both posts, Maduro appears considerably thinner than he did when he headed his socialist administration following the death of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.