The year 2026 began with the news of the United States carrying out a military operation, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro Moros, president of Venezuela, on January 3, 2026.
Maduro was taken into custody on charges of narcoterrorism. However, in the midst of this epic geopolitical mayhem that started with his capture, the attention of the internet was drawn to a very peculiar thing, that of Maduro’s outfit from the first photos that were released by the US authorities.
When the images surfaced, global attention was not on diplomacy, power politics, or international reactions alone; it was the grey Nike Tech Fleece tracksuit Maduro was wearing that started to go viral.
Within hours, the outfit overshadowed the event itself, triggering memes, debates, fashion commentary, and even reports of the tracksuit selling out online.
What Happened With Nicolás Maduro’s Outfit?
On January 4, 2026, US President Donald Trump released the first photos of the Venezuelan President on board the USS Iwo Jima. In the photo, Maduro can be seen in handcuffs and blindfolded with blackout glasses, along with noise-cancelling headphones over his ears.
The thing that caught the eye of many was the outfit Maduro was wearing, and internet sleuths quickly got to figure, figuring out in no time what it was.
Netizens found that the Venezuelan leader was seen wearing a grey Nike Tech Fleece tracksuit, an item more commonly associated with streetwear enthusiasts, athletes, and influencers than heads of state.
The outfit seems to come from the brand’s core Tech Fleece line. There is another one very similar to this called the ‘Nike Tech Men’s Fleece Windrunner Full-Zip Jacket’ priced at $140.
The website describes it as “Iconic Nike Windrunner style gets an injection of premium comfort with our smooth-on-both-sides fleece. It’s paired with a relaxed fit and technical details, like a signature tape-reinforced Tech pocket on the sleeve and binding at the hem and cuffs.”
The set typically includes a zip-up hoodie or jacket paired with matching joggers, designed with Nike’s lightweight insulating fabric. The products are easily available on the Nike website along with various e-commerce platforms.
The material is known for offering warmth without bulk, giving the outfit its structured yet comfortable look. The funny thing is that the US site of Nike shows this product as currently being sold out.
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What made the outfit go viral was the stark contrast it created.
Maduro, long known for projecting authority through formal military-style clothing or traditional political attire, suddenly appeared in a relaxed, globally recognisable brand.
The juxtaposition of a serious geopolitical development with a comfortable, minimalist sportswear look proved irresistible to social media users.
Screenshots of the image circulated rapidly, often detached from the original news context, allowing the tracksuit itself to become the central talking point.
One user commented that, “Maduro looks like a man who was on Xmas break and wearing his Nike Tech Fleece for a third straight day,” while another wrote, “Nike Tech Fleece. For the gym. For errands. For federal custody.”
One X user commented, “they’re calling it ‘Maduro grey’.”
Another wrote how “I still can’t believe they caught Maduro wearing the heather grey Nike tech fleece set though. I guess the tech fleece is the unofficial ‘drug lord tracksuit’ now like the Adidas tracksuit used to be back in the day.”
While Nike did not officially comment on the surge, listings on popular retail websites showed limited availability or temporary stock shortages in certain sizes.
The tracksuit remains available through Nike’s official website and select global retailers, though restocks and regional availability vary.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Business Insider, Hindustan Times, Mint
Find the blogger: @chirali_08
This post is tagged under: Venezuela president, Nicolas Maduro, Nicolas Maduro arrest, Nicolas Maduro nike outfit, Nicolas Maduro nike, Nicolas Maduro viral, Nicolas Maduro Trump, Nicolas Maduro US arrest, Venezuela president arrest, Venezuela president viral, nike, Nicolas Maduro Nike tech, Nicolas Maduro Nike tech fleece, Nicolas Maduro Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro captured
Disclaimer: We do not hold any rights or copyright over any of the images used; these have been taken from Google. In case of credits or removal, the owner may kindly email us.
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