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US President Joe Biden announced in a statement that the men had been released after years of captivity in the Latin American country. Mr Biden also paid tribute to the “dedicated public servants” in the US Government who had made the release possible.
He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to work as hard as possible to ensure that US citizens wrongfully detained and held hostage abroad are released.
He said:“I am grateful for the hard work of dedicated public servants across the U.S. Government who made this possible, and who continue to deliver on my Administration’s unflinching commitment to keep faith with Americans held hostage and wrongfully detained all around the world.
“Today, we celebrate that seven families will be whole once more.
“To all the families who are still suffering and separated from their loved ones who are wrongfully detained – know that we remain dedicated to securing their release.”
Two other Americans, Marine veteran Matthew Heath and Osman Khan, were also released in the prisoner swap.
The seven prisoners were released in exchange for the freeing of two nephews of the wife of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who were in jail on drugs charges, according to US officials.
In May 2021 the remaining members of the CITGO 6 were released from prison to house arrest.
However, they were recaptured later in that year.
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According to the state department, US officials have been visiting Venezuela throughout the year “for discussions about the welfare and safety of US nationals in Venezuela,”.
In March Gustavo Cárdenas one of the original CITGO 6 was released along with another American citizen detained in Venezuela Jorge Alberto Fernandez
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