1 of 2 Alex Saab, Maduro's ally, lands in Caracas this Wednesday Photo: Government of Venezuela Alex Saab, Maduro's ally, lands in Caracas this Wednesday Photo: Government of Venezuela
The President of the United States, Joe Biden, announced this Wednesday (20) the release of a Venezuelan prisoner in return, Venezuela released ten Americans. The agreement was reached between the two governments.
Alex Saab, the freed Venezuelan, is a key ally of President Nicolás Maduro and is seen by critics as his “orange.” He was arrested in the United States in 2020 for money laundering. On Wednesday afternoon he landed in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.
The deal represents the U.S. government's boldest initiative to improve relations with Venezuela and win concessions from Maduro.
2 of 2 Poster in Caracas of Alex Saab, an ally of Maduro, who was arrested in the United States Photo: Ariana Cubillos/AP Poster in Caracas of Alex Saab, an ally of Maduro, who was arrested in the United States Photo : Ariana Cubillos/ AP
The release of American prisoners the largest in Venezuela's history comes weeks after the Biden administration agreed to lift some sanctions after Maduro and the opposition pledged to work toward free and fair conditions for Venezuela's 2024 presidential election .
The arrest of Saab by the USA was seen as a trophy in Washington at the time. U.S. officials told the Associated Press that the decision to grant him clemency was difficult but essential to repatriating detained Americans.
Of the 10 Americans detained in Venezuela, the Biden administration treated six as unjustified arrests.
“These people have lost valuable time with their loved ones and their families have suffered every day because of their absence. I am grateful that their suffering is finally ending,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.
The Venezuelan government called Saab a “victim” of “illegal detention” and called his release a “symbol of victory” achieved through the country's “peaceful diplomacy.” In a statement, the government called on the US to lift all sanctions against Venezuela.
The agreement will also result in the extradition of Leonard Glenn Francisthe Malaysian owner of a Southeast Asian shipping services company who is the central figure in one of the largest bribery scandals in Pentagon history.
Francis, nicknamed “Fat Leonard,” was arrested nearly a decade ago as part of a federal raid on a San Diego hotel. He then fled to Venezuela and was arrested by Interpol in September 2022 while attempting to travel to Russia. Investigators say he and his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, defrauded the Navy of more than $35 million and bribed dozens of highranking Navy officers with alcohol, sex, lavish parties and other gifts.