Trump says detained American released in Venezuela
Donald Trump
Trump, in a tweet, did not identify the American by name but he appeared to be referring to Joshua Holt, who was arrested shortly after arriving in Venezuela nearly two years
US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that Venezuela has released an American from detention and said he would be welcomed at the White House with his family in the evening.
Trump, in a tweet, did not identify the American by name but he appeared to be referring to Joshua Holt, who was arrested shortly after arriving in Venezuela nearly two years.
The Venezuelan government on Saturday released an American, Josh Holt, who it has held since 2016 on weapons charges.
Holt, a Utah citizen, and his wife Thamy, were returning to the United States and were expected to arrive in Washington on Saturday evening, Trump tweeted. Hatch posted a statement saying the release was the culmination of two years of hard work.
Yesterday,Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro met with USSenator Bob Corker on Friday, the socialist-led government said, less than a week after Maduro was re-elected to a six-year term in a vote the United States did not recognise.
The election prompted a further deterioration in relations between the two countries. The United States responded to the vote, which it called undemocratic, with additional sanctions, prompting Venezuela to expel the top two USdiplomats posted in Caracas. The United States responded with a similar move.
“It was a very good meeting, it is good news for the Venezuelan people,” Venezuelan Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez told reporters, without providing details of what the officials discussed.
USlawmakers have previously held discussions with Venezuelan officials on the release of Josh Holt, a UScitizen and Mormon missionary from Utah imprisoned in the South American country since 2016 on weapons charges. USofficials say Venezuela is using Holt as a bargaining chip in sanctions talks.