Six Americans held in Venezuela have been released and returned to the United States with President Donald Trump’s special envoy. This took place after his meeting with President Nicolas Maduro, who expressed a desire for a “new beginning” in relations with Washington.
“We are wheels up and headed home with these 6 American citizens. They just spoke to Donald Trump and couldn’t stop thanking him,” Richard Grenell, a prominent ally of Mr. Trump and envoy for special missions, shared on X.
The six individuals, whose identities remain undisclosed, were seen smiling on a plane alongside Mr. Grenell.
“Just been informed that we are bringing six hostages home from Venezuela. Thank you to Ric Grenell and my entire staff. Great job!” Mr. Trump announced on his Truth Social platform.
Donald Trump has prioritized the deportation of undocumented individuals in the United States.
He and Mr. Maduro met at the Miraflores presidential palace, marking one of the first known interactions between the second Trump administration and a government it deems hostile.
However, Mr. Maduro, accused by Washington of manipulating last year’s presidential election, emphasized that the meeting had “zero agenda” while expressing hopes for a “new beginning in bilateral relations” with the United States, according to a statement from the Venezuelan government.
“We say to President Donald Trump: we have taken a first step. Hopefully, it can be sustained; we wish to sustain it,” Mr. Maduro stated later during a speech.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated earlier that Mr. Grenell would insist Venezuela allow repatriation flights for members of the Tren de Aragua, the Venezuelan criminal gang designated as a terrorist organization by Mr. Trump.
“President Trump expects Nicolas Maduro to accept all Venezuelan criminals and gang members who have been sent to the United States, unequivocally and without conditions,” Mauricio Claver-Carone, US special envoy for Latin America, noted independently.
“There will be consequences otherwise,” he warned reporters, adding that Mr. Grenell also demanded the “immediate and unequivocal” release of “American hostages” held in the South American nation.
Open channels
Mr. Maduro was sworn in for a third presidential term on January 10, even though his election was marred by accusations of fraud last July. The opposition and much of the international community recognize rival Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the legitimate victor.
Nicolas Maduro has taken an oath for a third presidential term on January 10 amidst claims of electoral fraud from last July.
According to Venezuela, the Maduro-Grenell meeting was conducted in “mutual respect,” discussing various issues such as migration and the “negative impact of economic sanctions.”
The government’s statement also highlighted Venezuela’s “willingness to maintain open diplomatic channels.”
Mr. Claver-Carone clarified that the discussions did not represent any leniency towards Mr. Maduro, whose prior term Washington had deemed illegitimate.
The former US President Joe Biden’s administration had previously agreed to ease oil sanctions as part of a deal for American prisoners and free elections.
Venezuela released 10 Americans in an exchange. However, Mr. Biden reinstated sanctions after Mr. Maduro failed to implement democratic reforms.
Recently, Mr. Maduro announced the arrest of seven “mercenaries,” claiming that two were US citizens, including a “senior FBI official.”
The Foro Penal rights group mentioned before Friday’s release that eight Americans were imprisoned in Venezuela, along with two individuals of unknown nationalities who had resided in the United States.
Top Trump priority
Mr. Trump has made the deportation of undocumented immigrants in the United States a high priority. During his campaign, he referred to immigrants as “poisoning the blood” of the nation.
Upon returning to the White House, he urged other countries to accept deportees, a key objective for Secretary of State Marco Rubio as he embarks on a five-nation tour of Latin America.
In his first week back in office, Mr. Trump pledged severe tariffs on Colombia, a longstanding US ally, after its president advocated for more humane treatment of repatriated citizens.
The Trump administration swiftly terminated protections from deportation for over 600,000 Venezuelans living in the United States under a special status.
The Biden administration had allowed them to remain due to safety concerns regarding their return to Venezuela.
Mr. Trump also enacted a law facilitating the detention of migrants who commit crimes, naming it after a nursing student who was murdered by an undocumented Venezuelan migrant who had been arrested and released on two occasions.
