A senior Biden administration official has confirmed that the United States has secured the release of 10 American citizens who've been detained in Venezuela. Their imminent release comes as part of a prisoner swap. The official added that 20 political prisoners from Venezuela will be released soon.
Additionally, the fugitive Lenard Francis, known as “Fat Leonard,” who fled the United States before he could be sentenced for his lead role in the largest corruption scandal in the history of the United States military, will be extradited to the U.S.
In exchange, the United States government is releasing a close ally of Venezuela's illegitimate President Nicolás Maduro.
The exchange comes as part of a push by the United States for the authoritarian South American country to hold free and fair elections, writes The New York Times:
Alex Saab, who has been accused by the United States of “profiting from starvation” of Venezuelans, is a Colombian businessman and financial fixer for Mr. Maduro. He was indicted in 2019 in connection with a bribery scheme that siphoned an estimated $350 million from a Venezuelan government housing project.
The White House officials declined to reveal details about the 10 Americans, but they said the exchange means that all of the Americans believed to be wrongfully detained in Venezuela now have been released.
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The prisoner exchange comes as the Biden administration tries to improve relations with the authoritarian government in Caracas. The United States recently restarted deportation flights to Venezuela and agreed to lift some sanctions after the Maduro administration agreed to take tentative steps toward free and fair elections.
“It looks like Maduro, so far, is keeping his commitment on a free election,” Mr. Biden told reporters on Wednesday. “But it ain't done yet. We've got a long way to go. But it's good so far.”
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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