Richard Grenell, a special envoy for President Trump, met with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and secured the release of six detained Americans. The meeting, aimed at addressing Venezuelan migration to the U.S. and securing the return of deported migrants, sparked controversy among some who viewed it as legitimizing Maduro's rule.
Six Americans detained in Venezuela were released following a meeting between Venezuela n President Nicolás Maduro and Richard Grenell, a special envoy for U.S. President Donald Trump . Grenell's visit to Venezuela , aimed at securing the return of deported Venezuela n migrants who have committed crimes in the United States and the release of detained Americans, surprised many Venezuela ns who had anticipated the continuation of Trump's 'maximum pressure' campaign against Maduro.
The meeting, taking place less than a month after Maduro's controversial re-election to a third six-year term, saw Maduro state television broadcasting footage of Grenell and Maduro engaging in talks at the Miraflores Palace. Grenell, in a tweet, confirmed the release and stated the Americans had spoken to Trump, expressing gratitude. Trump, signing an executive order on Friday, acknowledged the meeting with Maduro but insisted it didn't legitimize his regime. He emphasized his long-standing opposition to Maduro and Venezuela's treatment of both the United States and its citizens. Maduro, appearing on state television after Grenell's departure, mentioned 'initial agreements' but refrained from divulging details. He asserted Venezuela's desire to establish respectful relationships based on sovereignty, democratic principles, international law, and regional harmony. The timing of the meeting drew criticism from Elliott Abrams, a former special envoy to Venezuela and Iran during Trump's first term. Abrams argued that the meeting would bolster Maduro's legitimacy and send a message of recognition from the U.S. He suggested Trump could have delivered the tough message on migration himself, rendering Grenell's visit unnecessary. Neither the White House nor Maduro's government immediately disclosed the names of the six released Americans. However, a non-profit group advocating for a detainee's release stated that David Estrella, a 62-year-old last heard from in September, was among those returning to the U.S. Estrella had been accused by Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello of participating in a plot to assassinate Maduro. This incident coincides with the Trump administration's aggressive stance on immigration, including the revocation of a Biden-era decision that protected approximately 600,000 Venezuelans from deportation, potentially leading to their removal within two months. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that Trump had instructed Grenell to identify a suitable location for repatriation flights carrying Venezuelans, including members of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization, to land in Venezuela. She also confirmed that Trump had ordered Grenell to ensure the safe return of all American detainees in Venezuela. The exodus from Venezuela, with over 7.7 million people leaving since 2013 when its economy collapsed and Maduro assumed office, has primarily seen Venezuelans seeking refuge in Latin America and the Caribbean. However, after the pandemic, U.S.-bound migration has intensified
NICOLAS MADURO RICHARD GRENELL DONALD TRUMP VENEZUELA UNITED STATES AMERICANS DETAINED MIGRATION REPATRIATION POLITICS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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