The New York Times has removed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from its "Most Stylish" list after initially including him among celebrities who have "captured our attention with their looks" this year. The publication's list, which featured figures such as Bad Bunny, Meryl Streep, and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, faced immediate criticism for its inclusion of Maduro, who is currently facing charges in the United States.
Maduro, 63, and his wife, Cilia Flores, 69, were arrested by U.S. forces in Caracas, Venezuela, in January and have been held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. They have pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to traffic drugs through Venezuela to the United States. Their trial is scheduled for June 1, 2027.
Following the public outcry, The New York Times updated the article to remove Maduro's entry. A note now at the bottom of the piece reads: "This article has been updated to remove an entry on Nicolás Maduro." The outlet also directed readers to a separate story about "how an image of him in a tracksuit became a meme," referencing a January post by President Donald Trump that included a photo of Maduro in custody wearing a gray tracksuit.
The inclusion of Maduro on the style list drew sharp reactions on social media platforms, with users describing the decision as "in real bad f**king taste," "disgusting," and something The Times should "be embarrassed" about.
The New York Times' style list description states that it is a snapshot of pop culture, viral moments, and figures who commanded public attention, often using fashion to express identity or ignite discourse. Maduro and Flores face life in prison if convicted of orchestrating drug trafficking and related crimes.
Maduro has maintained his innocence, describing himself as a "prisoner of war" and claiming to be the rightful President of Venezuela, which he argues grants him immunity from prosecution in foreign courts. This claim is complicated by the U.S. government's control over significant portions of Venezuelan government functions and finances since Maduro's ousting. Despite this, an interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, who is an ally of Maduro, has called for his release and asserted his continued presidency. Maduro and Flores recently appeared for a brief hearing in Manhattan, where Maduro's defense attorney indicated an intent to seek dismissal of the case based on immunity claims. 
