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Venezuela has freed six US detainees after talks in Caracas between President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro and a senior Trump administration official.<\/p>\n
The release of the men was announced on social media by Donald Trump and his special envoy, Richard Grenell.<\/p>\n
Grenell – who published online a photo of the six on board his plane – said they had spoken by phone to President Trump to thank him. <\/p>\n
Earlier, the White House had called on Venezuela to release “US hostages” – as well as agreeing to receive Venezuelan criminals deported by the US – or face consequences. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Grenell did not name the six men, who were seen dressed in light blue outfits used by the Venezuelan prison system.<\/p>\n
“We are wheels up and headed home with these 6 American citizens,” Grenell posted on X. “They just spoke to @realDonaldTrump and they couldn’t stop thanking him.”<\/p>\n
Trump hailed the move in a separate post, saying Grenell was bringing “six hostages home from Venezuela”.<\/p>\n
Venezuelan state media said the discussions with President Trump’s envoy had been respectful.<\/p>\n
In January, Caracas announced the capture of a group of “mercenaries” who included US citizens. <\/p>\n
Maduro was sworn in last month for a third term as Venezuelan president, six months after disputed elections which the opposition and international community say he lost.<\/p>\n
The official results of the July 2024 election have been widely rejected by the international community, including the US.<\/p>\n
Grenell’s visit did not mean US recognition of Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier on Friday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n