US, Venezuela Swap Prisoners in Deal to Improve Ties
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Several Americans freed by Venezuela in a prisoner swap with the US arrived at a military base in San Antonio, Texas. They were released in exchange for Alex Saab, a Colombian businessman wanted in the US on bribery charges.
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As part of the deal, Venezuela freed 6 Americans considered wrongly detained plus 4 other Americans. Malaysia also separately returned a fugitive businessman wanted in a US Navy bribery case.
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The prisoner swap came after months of negotiations between the US and Venezuela mediated by Qatar. It followed US demands for democratic reforms and prisoner releases in order to ease sanctions on Venezuela.
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Venezuela freed a total of 20 opposition-linked prisoners as part of the deal. Among them were 6 education activists sentenced to 16 years and others with arrest orders against them.
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Alex Saab returned to Venezuela and embraced President Maduro, thanking him and the Venezuelan people. Maduro said the swap marked a step toward better relations with the US.