U.S. Air Force Veteran Wrongfully Detained in Venezuela Released
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Joseph St. Clair, a U.S. Air Force veteran wrongfully detained in Venezuela, was released on Tuesday. Handed over to Richard Grenell, U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy for special missions, St. Clair’s family expressed their overwhelming joy and gratitude at the news. The veteran, who served four tours in Afghanistan, was detained in November while seeking treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder in South America.
“Joe St. Clair is back in America,” Grenell announced on X, sharing photos of their reunion at an airport. He revealed that he met with Venezuelan officials in a neutral country to negotiate an "America First strategy," though he did not disclose specific details about the discussions.
Earlier this year, Grenell facilitated the release of six other Americans detained by President Nicolás Maduro’s government following his meetings with Venezuelan officials in Caracas. During those negotiations, Grenell urged Maduro to accept the return of deported migrants from the U.S. Hundreds of Venezuelans have since been sent back to their homeland.
Maduro recently expressed gratitude to the U.S. for reuniting a young girl with her deported mother, calling the act "profoundly humane."
For further updates on Latin America, visit AP’s coverage online.
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