Ric Grenell success in Caracas

Venezuela Releases Six US Prisoners After Trump Envoy’s Visit

"Ric Grenell, Presidential Envoy for Special Missions, was sent to Caracas in a bid to get Venezuela to accept deportation flights from the US that carried gang members and to secure the release of the American prisoners.

The meeting was the most significant encounter between the two hostile governments in years. Venezuela said the two sides talked about the imprisoned US citizens, sanctions and migration.

The trip set up a potential clash with Maduro, whose government has refused to accept deportation flights from the US for about a year. But he may also use the visit as an opportunity to push for easing US sanctions that have crippled his economy, including the oil sector.

The last US delegation to visit Caracas was in 2023, led by President Joe Biden’s Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens. He secured a prisoner swap in which Venezuela freed 10 Americans and handed over a defense contractor. The US released a Maduro ally from a US prison. [msn]