Some of the Americans released by the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a US prisoner exchange have landed at a US military base in San Antonio, Texas, a Reuters witness said.
The individual was released on Wednesday in exchange for the release of Maduro’s US ally, Colombian businessman Alex Saab, who was granted amnesty by US President Joe Biden and returned to Venezuela on Wednesday.
Maduro also agreed to release at least 20 opposition-related prisoners from prison.
US prosecutors have accused Saab of siphoning about $350 million from Venezuela through the United States in a scheme involving the bribery of Venezuelan government officials.
He denied the charge.
As part of the deal, all six Americans classified by the US as wrongfully detained in Venezuela were released, along with four other Americans.
Reuters witnesses saw six detainees, including one on a stretcher, get off the plane at Joint Base San Antonio.
Freed American prisoners released in Venezuela arrive at Joint Base San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas, Dec. 20, 2023. REUTERS
Savoi Wright, who was reportedly arrested and detained in October, told a reporter when he landed that he sometimes feared for his life, while at other times he received good care.
“I don’t know if I’ll make it,” he said.
Venezuela also separately returned to the United States, the fugitive Malaysian businessman Leonard Glenn Francis, known as “Leonard Fat,” who was involved in the US Navy corruption case, the official said.
Freed American prisoner Eyvin Hernandez, who was released in Venezuela, arrives at Joint Base San Antonio Dec. 20, 2023. REUTERS
Savoi Wright, who was reportedly arrested and detained in October, told a reporter when he landed that he sometimes feared for his life, while at other times he received good care.
“I don’t know if I’ll make it,” he said.
Venezuela also separately returned Malaysian businessman who fled to the United States Leonard Glenn Francis, known as “Leonard Fat,” who was involved in the US Navy corruption case, the official said.
Freed American prisoner Jerrel Kenemore (right) hugs National Security Council Director of Counter-Terrorism David Cotter after arriving at Joint Base San Antonio Dec. 20, 2023. REUTERS
The agreement, the result of months of talks brokered by Qatar between OPEC member Venezuela and the United States, came after the White House said it needed to see progress on the release of prisoners to continue the easing of energy sanctions for Caracas.
The lifting of sanctions was announced in October in response to an agreement by the Venezuelan government to hold fair elections in 2024.
While the release could be seen as Maduro’s move to comply with US demands, Saab’s return marks a victory for Maduro. Saab has not yet been convicted and his return to Venezuela was previously seen as unlikely.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro embraces Alex Saab, who is facing US corruption charges, after he was released by the US government at the Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela, on Dec 20, 2023. REUTERS
Washington has given the Venezuelan government until November 30 to make progress in lifting public office bans on opposition candidates and begin freeing political prisoners and “wrongfully detaining” Americans to avoid reinstating sanctions.
Venezuela allowed opposition candidates to appeal their ban, but it had not made much progress in freeing prisoners before this week.
Biden told reporters traveling with him in Milwaukee that he had not spoken to Maduro but “we have set specific requirements for democratic elections. He agrees to all of them.”
Freed American prisoner Edgar Jose Marval Moreno smiles and gives a thumbs up, as he arrives at Joint Base San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas Dec. 20, 2023. REUTERS
TO HOME
US citizens classified as wrongfully detained and now released include Wright, Eyvin Hernandez, Jerrel Kenemore and Joseph Ryan Cristella, a US official said.
Hernandez and Kenemore were arrested near Venezuela’s border with Colombia in March 2022, while Cristella was arrested in July last year.
The three men are accused of trying to enter the country illegally.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks to the media as he acknowledges Alex Saab after he was released by the US government, in Caracas, on Dec. 20, 2023. REUTERS
“I am grateful that their suffering is finally over, and this family is healed once again,” Biden said in a written statement. “We are making sure that the Venezuelan regime lives up to its commitments.”
The US official declined to name the other US citizens, citing privacy concerns. Others known to be detained in the country include two former US Army Special Forces members, Luke Denman and Airan Berry, who were arrested in 2020 in connection with a failed raid aimed at ousting Maduro.
Gonzalo Himiob, a lawyer at the Venezuelan non-governmental group Foro Penal, which regularly provides legal aid to political prisoners, said on Wednesday evening his group had confirmed 20 people had been released – including 15 Venezuelans.
A protester of the “Free Alex Saab” movement participates in a rally in front of Venezuela’s National Assembly demanding the release of Saab in Caracas, Venezuela Dec. 16, 2022. REUTERS
Among them are six education activists, who were convicted on conspiracy charges earlier this year and sentenced to 16 years in prison, but have since declared their innocence, and the recently arrested Roberto Abdul, a member of the committee that planned the opposition party.
Three people involved with the campaign of opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado are expected to have their arrest warrants lifted, sources said.
Francis, a Malaysian on the run, has been accused by US prosecutors of giving Navy officials cash, gourmet food, expensive cigars, rare cognac and hotel sex parties in exchange for contracts.
Alex Saab and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro share a moment together and hug each other at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas on Dec 20, 2023. REUTERS
Francis escaped from US house arrest last year before being sentenced by cutting off his monitoring anklet. He was later detained in Venezuela, where he faces extradition proceedings.
Saab, who has been held in a federal prison in Miami, thanked Maduro and the Venezuelan people upon his return to the country on Wednesday.
“I feel proud to serve the people of Venezuela and to serve this loyal government … which, like me, has never given up,” Saab said as he made a statement shared with Maduro after reuniting with his family on the airport tarmac.
Maduro said the exchange marked a step toward a new era of diplomatic relations with the United States.
Saab has pleaded not guilty and a trial date has yet to be set.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
