Venezuela Releases Americans in Texas Prisoner Swap

An American military installation in San Antonio, Texas, is the destination for some of the Americans who were released by the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in exchange for American prisoners, according to a witness. In exchange for the release of Maduro’s supporter, Colombian businessman Alex Saab, who was given pardon by US President Joe Biden and returned to Venezuela on Wednesday, the individuals were released on Wednesday. Maduro also consented to the release from prison of at least 20 convicts connected to the opposition. Saab was charged by US authorities with funneling around $350 million out of Venezuela through the US in an operation that entailed paying off government officials in Venezuela. The accusation is refuted by him. Six Americans that the United States believed had been illegally jailed in Venezuela were released as part of the agreement, along with four additional Americans. The officials added that Venezuela has also repatriated to the United States the wanted Malaysian businessman Leonard Glenn Francis, also referred to as “Fat Leonard,” who is involved in a bribery case involving the U.S. Navy. The agreement, which was reached after months of talks between Venezuela, an OPEC member, and the United States through mediation by Qatar, came about as a result of the White House’s declaration that Caracas’s oil sanctions relief would not proceed unless prisoner releases were achieved.

In response to the Venezuelan government’s commitment to hold free and fair elections in 2024, sanctions relaxation was announced in October. The fact that Saab is back is a success for Maduro, even though the releases can be interpreted as a move to appease the United States. It was previously thought improbable that Saab would return to Venezuela, and he had not yet been found guilty. Washington had given the Venezuelan government until November 30 to begin the process of freeing political prisoners and “wrongfully detained” Americans, as well as to move toward lifting the ban on opposition candidates running for public office, in order to prevent the imposition of new sanctions. Venezuela has not made much headway on prisoner releases prior to this week, but it is allowing opposition candidates to challenge their bans. Although he had not yet talked with Maduro, Biden informed the reporters traveling with him in Milwaukee that “we’ve laid down specific requirements for a democratic election.” He has accepted each and every one of them.”