In a significant development, Venezuela has released six US detainees following discussions held in Caracas between President Nicolás Maduro and a high-ranking official from the Trump administration.
Donald Trump and his special envoy, Richard Grenell, took to social media to announce the men’s release. The individuals’ identities remain undisclosed.
Grenell shared a photo online featuring the six individuals aboard his plane, noting that they had called President Trump to express their gratitude.
The White House previously urged Venezuela to free individuals it referred to as “US hostages” and to accept the deportation of Venezuelan criminals from the United States, warning that failure to comply could lead to repercussions.
Grenell refrained from identifying the six individuals observed wearing the light blue uniforms associated with the Venezuelan prison system.
Reports indicate that at least nine individuals holding US citizenship or residency are among the more than 2,200 people detained by Venezuelan authorities in the wake of widespread protests concerning the contested results of the July 2024 elections, in which Nicolás Maduro asserted his victory.
The opposition and the international community, including the United States, largely dismissed his re-election. Last month, he officially took the oath of office for his third term.
“We are now in the air and en route home with these six American citizens,” Grenell shared on X. “A conversation with @realDonaldTrump left them expressing their gratitude repeatedly.”
In a separate post, Trump praised the decision, asserting that Grenell was facilitating the return of the six individuals “home from Venezuela.”
State media in Venezuela reported that the talks with President Trump’s representative were conducted respectfully.
Following the meeting, Maduro remarked that the discussions had a “zero agenda” and expressed his desire for a “new beginning in bilateral relations” with the United States.
On Friday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that Grenell’s visit should not be interpreted as an endorsement of Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader.
