US Special Envoy Richard Grenell had two stated goals on his diplomatic mission to Venezuela. He was to ensure that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was going to accept the deportation of Venezuelan citizens who were in the United States illegally, particularly members of the notorious gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), and to secure the release of Americans being detained in Venezuela.
US President Donald Trump's envoy Richard Grenell said he was headed back to the United States with six American citizens, a surprise development after he met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas https://t.co/pYhe63Wl3L
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 1, 2025
Grenell met with Maduro in Caracas, and all indications are his mission was a success. Shortly after his plane took off to return to the US, Grenell posted a picture of himself with six Americans who had been detained in Venezuela.
We are wheels up and headed home with these 6 American citizens.
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) February 1, 2025
They just spoke to @realDonaldTrump and they couldn’t stop thanking him. pic.twitter.com/sCvCO4HQQv
Grenell did not name the men in the photo or say why they were being detained. Four of the men are wearing blue outfits consistent with those worn by prisoners in the Venezuelan prison system.
The newly freed Americans spoke with the President while on the flight home.
Just been informed that we are bringing six hostages home from Venezuela. Thank you to Ric Grenell and my entire staff. Great job!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 1, 2025
This is what @POTUS’ America First leadership accomplishes.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 1, 2025
Welcome home! https://t.co/PgGjYfBSu8
The total number of Americans being held in Venezuela isn't known. Venezuelan officials have publicly spoken of nine, most of whom are accused of conspiring with the United States to commit terrorism. Historically, information from Venezuelan officials isn't exactly what you would call reliable.
In 2023, the Biden Administration negotiated the release of ten Americans in exchange for Alex Saab, an alleged financier of Maduro, who was awaiting trial in the US for money laundering.
Special Envoy to Latin America Mauricio Claver-Carone said earlier on Friday that there would be no negotiation for the release of American hostages.
"American hostages that are being held in Venezuela ... must be released immediately," Mauricio Claver-Carone, the U.S. special envoy for Latin America, said earlier on Friday, adding the Grenell-Maduro meeting was "not a negotiation in exchange for anything."
Claver-Carone also stated that the deportation of TdA members was non-negotiable.
Last week, the Venezuelan Attorney General seemed ready to cooperate.
Venezuelan attorney general Tarek Saab said last week that the gang had been dismantled in Venezuela in 2023, but that it was willing to restart legal cooperation with the U.S. in order to extradite gang members.
President Trump has indicated that if Venezuela refuses to cooperate with deportations, the US may stop buying oil from them, which would be devastating to the Venezuelan economy.
All smiles on board the plane!
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) February 1, 2025
Thank you Ric Grenell! pic.twitter.com/IJu2McoOqK
This is fantastic work! Way to go!
— Chris Loesch 𝕏 (@ChrisLoesch) February 1, 2025
This is how you get it done … @RichardGrenell https://t.co/PhYZfNp5Ad
— The🐰FOO (@PolitiBunny) February 1, 2025
Americans, who were essentially political prisoners, have been returned home. Now it's time to send the TdA gang members, who are in America illegally, back to where they came from.
I have said for years that @RichardGrenell is one of the most effective people doing international relations.
— Scott Medlock (@scottdmedlock) February 1, 2025
He's smart, quick, level headed, and never loses track of the end game.
Special Envoy Richard Grenell went to Venezuela to arrange the release of American prisoners and the deportation of criminal TdA gang members.
Mission accomplished.
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