Nicolás Maduro handcuffed, with a mask over his eyes, aboard the American warship USS Iwo Jima… This is a photo that we will undoubtedly find in future history books evoking the unprecedented intervention of the United States in Venezuela. And in this photo, shared millions of times on social networks, a strange guest stands out: the light gray Nike tracksuit of the former Venezuelan leader.
It is impossible to know if this outfit was cleverly imposed by Washington during his capture this Saturday to triumphantly highlight an American brand, or if the Venezuelan leader was simply wearing it at the time of his arrest by the secret Delta Force unit. Note that Nicolás Maduro had already been seen in a sports tracksuit in 2020 when he addressed his people with an FC Barcelona outfit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Perfect for a helicopter ride”
Still, his “streetwear” look – a gray set from the “Tech Fleece” range – caused a sensation. As soon as the photo was published shortly after 5 p.m. French time, the number of searches for “Nike tech fleece” and “Nike tech gray” exploded, being multiplied by 5 worldwide and by 15 in France during the day on Saturday, according to L’Équipe.
Sold for a total of 219.98 euros (119.99 euros for the jacket, 99.99 euros for the tracksuit bottoms), the set was unavailable this Monday in sizes M and L on the French site. Visibly restocked, the brand is offering M again this Tuesday, but still no L, and now no more XL either. Local media also indicate that the American site was impacted by partial stock shortages.
Launched in 2013, the gray color range is now labeled “best selling” according to the Nike website. Enough to give him a nice nickname of “Maduro Grey” on social networks, some Internet users not hesitating to talk about “completely crazy product placement”. On the various Nike sites, comments on the “Tech Fleece” range are multiplying. “It’s perfect for a helicopter ride,” quips one customer.
Transferred this Sunday to the New York court where he pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges, claiming to be a “prisoner of war”, the deposed Venezuelan head of state no longer wore his now famous Nike tracksuit.
