WASHINGTON, Jan 14: At least four Americans have been freed by the interim Venezuelan government, CNN reported, citing a source familiar with the matter.
A US State Department team traveled to Venezuela to help with the release, the first known release, since the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, of US citizens imprisoned in Venezuela, CNN said on Tuesday, citing a senior State Department official.
“We welcome the release of detained Americans in Venezuela,” a State Department spokesperson said, adding that it is “an important step in the right direction by the interim authorities.”
The Venezuelan Penitentiary Services Ministry stated on Monday that Venezuela had released 116 prisoners, accused of violating the constitutional order and stability of the country. The ministry specified that the decision to release the prisoners resulted from a review of cases initiated by order of President Nicolas Maduro. This process was continued by Acting President Delcy Rodriguez.
On January 3, the US launched a massive attack on Venezuela, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and taking them to New York. US President Donald Trump announced that Maduro and Flores would face trial for allegedly being involved in “narco-terrorism” and posing a threat, including to the US. During their court appearance in New York, Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In connection with the US operation, Caracas requested an emergency UN meeting, and Venezuela’s Supreme Court temporarily assigned the duties of head of state to Vice President Delcy Rodriguez. On January 5, Rodriguez officially assumed the position of acting president of Venezuela and took the oath before the National Assembly. (UNI)
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