US Secures Release of 6 Americans in Prisoner Swap Deal with Venezuela
-
The US has secured the release of 6 wrongfully detained Americans and 4 other Americans held in Venezuela in exchange for extraditing "Fat Leonard" Francis to the US and granting clemency to Alex Saab, an ally of Venezuelan president Maduro.
-
"Fat Leonard" Francis will be returned to the US to face justice for the corruption scandal he orchestrated in the US Navy.
-
In exchange, the US granted clemency to Alex Saab, allowing his return to Venezuela. Saab was facing trial in the US for money laundering.
-
Venezuela has also agreed to release 20 political prisoners and committed to steps towards more transparent presidential elections in 2024.
-
The deal reflects improving US-Venezuela relations, partly driven by US interests in Venezuela's oil and addressing the flow of Venezuelan migrants over the US border.