Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been in U.S. custody for several hours, according to officials. He was flown to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York, where he arrived in handcuffs with his head covered.
Photos and videos released by authorities show the moment he was taken off the aircraft, quickly spreading across news outlets and social media platforms.
While the arrest itself has drawn global attention, an unexpected detail from the images has taken over social media discussions.
In one photo shared by former U.S. President Donald Trump on Truth Social, Maduro can be seen wearing a grey Nike tracksuit. This small but noticeable detail shifted online focus away from the political implications of the arrest to his clothing choice.
The image spread rapidly across platforms such as X, Instagram, and TikTok, with users commenting, sharing memes, and debating the moment.
Many were surprised to see a global political figure dressed in casual sportswear during such a serious situation. The tracksuit quickly became the center of online jokes, headlines, and trending posts.
According to reports, the sudden viral attention led to a sharp increase in demand for the same Nike tracksuit, causing it to sell out on Nike’s website within a short time. Social media users joked about how fashion once again became part of a major world event.
The incident shows how quickly public attention can shift in the digital age. While the arrest of a sitting president is a major political development, a simple outfit ended up dominating online conversations, proving how powerful and unpredictable social media trends can be.
