The New York Times briefly included captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in its "39-ish Most Stylish People of 2026, So Far" list, then removed him and added an editor's note. The note links to a Styles story about a January image of Maduro in a grey tracksuit that went viral after President Donald Trump shared it. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, face federal narco-terrorism charges after being detained in January; his trial is expected to begin June 1, 2027. The inclusion prompted public criticism about featuring a detained political figure in a fashion roundup.
NYT Removes Captured Venezuelan Leader From 'Most Stylish' List After Backlash
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro holds a ceremonial sword during a government-organized civic-military march in Caracas
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was briefly included in The New York Times' Styles Desk roundup, "39-ish Most Stylish People of 2026, So Far," but the paper removed his entry and appended an editor's note after public scrutiny.
Photo caption: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro holds a ceremonial sword said to have belonged to independence hero Simón Bolívar during a government-organized civic-military march in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
What Happened
The Times' list originally featured Maduro alongside well-known figures such as John Travolta, Justin Trudeau and Olympic champion Eileen Gu. Within hours the outlet added a short note: "This article has been updated to remove an entry on Nicolás Maduro," and linked readers to a Styles piece about an image of Maduro in a tracksuit that became a viral meme.
Why It Sparked Debate
The editor's note directs readers to a January Styles story, "The Sweatsuit Was Bound to Become a Meme," which examined how an image of the captured Maduro in grey sweats circulated after President Donald Trump shared the photo. Critics argued that including a detained political figure, who is facing serious criminal allegations, in a fashion roundup was inappropriate and insensitive.
Legal Context
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, face multiple federal charges tied to alleged narco-terrorism. U.S. forces detained the couple in a January operation in Venezuela; Maduro was reportedly wearing a grey sweatsuit while being transported to Manhattan to face prosecutors. His trial is expected to begin in New York on June 1, 2027.
Reaction And Implications
The brief inclusion and subsequent removal underscore the tension between culture reporting and broader political or legal realities. The episode prompted discussion about editorial judgment and the boundaries of lifestyle coverage when it intersects with high-profile criminal cases and international politics.
Bottom line: The Times removed Maduro's entry after backlash and linked to further coverage about the viral image that prompted the original inclusion.
Help us improve.
