By Armando Hernandez
The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio once again placed himself at the center of the political and viral conversation on social networks after appearing in an official photograph wearing a sports outfit identical to the one worn by Nicolás Maduro. during his capture by US forces last January.
The image was shared by Steven Cheung, White House communications director.who published in X a photograph of Rubio aboard Air Power One while traveling to China to accompany President Donald Trump in a diplomatic meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“Secretary Rubio wearing the Nike Tech ‘Venezuela’ in the Air Power One!” Cheung wrote in the post. which quickly accumulated thousands of reactions and comments on social networks.
In the photograph, Rubio appears leaning on one of the doors of the presidential plane wearing a gray Nike Tech Fleece sweatshirt, practically identical to the one Maduro was wearing when he was transferred to US custody after the military operation carried out in Caracas on January 3.
The image revives memes and political tension
The clothing worn by Maduro became one of the most commented viral symbols of the beginning of the yearafter Trump spread photographs of the detained Chavista leader through Fact Social. Since then, the gray sports outfit was used in memes, costumes and satirical publications on different digital platforms.
Rubio’s new image immediately reactivated those references and generated political interpretations among Republican sympathizers.who saw the gesture as a mockery directed at the former Venezuelan president and as a reminder of the military operation that ended with his capture.
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants and one of the most influential figures in Republican foreign policy, has maintained a tough stance towards the Venezuelan government for years.
Before the January military operation, the Secretary of State repeatedly called Maduro an “illegitimate” leader and publicly endorsed more aggressive actions by Washington against Caracas..
The senator turned head of US diplomacy has also been mentioned along with Vice President JD Vance as one of the Republican figures with the greatest projection towards the 2028 presidential elections.
Although the White House did not issue additional comments on the photograph, the publication placed Rubio in trend again and fueled the political and media debate around the relationship between the United States and Venezuela.
Keep reading:
- From prison, Nicolás Maduro calls for unity and reconciliation in Venezuela in an Easter message
- Why did they cover Maduro’s eyes and ears when detaining him?
- Trump says that all political prisoners in Venezuela will be released
