Venezuela to release 36 people, including 12 Americans, in prisoner swap -source

By Marianna Parraga

(Reuters) -The government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro plans to release up to 36 people, including 12 Americans, in exchange for the release by the U.S. government of a Maduro ally, a high-level Venezuelan source said on Wednesday.

The Maduro ally is Colombian businessman Alex Saab, the source said. U.S. prosecutors have accused Saab of siphoning off some $350 million from Venezuela via the U.S. in a scheme that involved bribing Venezuelan government officials. He denies the charge.

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden relaxed sanctions on Venezuela in October in response to an agreement by the government to hold fair elections in 2024.

But the White House had said in recent weeks it was prepared to “pause” sanctions relief unless there was progress on prisoner releases.

Though the releases could be seen as a step by Maduro to comply with U.S. demands, the return of Saab would mark a victory for Maduro. Saab has not yet been convicted and his return to Venezuela was previously seen as unlikely.

Washington had given the Venezuelan government until Nov. 30 to make progress on removing public office bans on opposition candidates and start releasing political prisoners and “wrongfully detained” Americans in order to avoid a reinstatement of sanctions.

Venezuela is allowing opposition candidates to appeal their bans, but it had not made much progress on prisoner releases before Wednesday.

Maduro is scheduled to hold an event later on Wednesday, though the government has offered no details.

The Associated Press reported on Wednesday the United States has already released Saab.

A lawyer for Saab declined to comment, while neither the White House nor the State Department immediately responded to a request for comment. Saab has pleaded not guilty, and his trial date had not yet been set.

Those expected to be freed include 20 opposition-linked Venezuelans who have been in jail for some time, the source said. Another four are involved either with the campaign of opposition presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado or the organization of the opposition’s October primary.

Reuters could not immediately determine the identities of the 12 Americans who will be released.

U.S. citizens who have been classed by the U.S. government as “wrongfully detained” include Eyvin Hernandez, Jerrel Kenemore, Joseph Ryan Cristella and Savoi Wright.

Hernandez and Kenemore were arrested near Venezuela’s border with Colombia in March 2022, while Cristella was arrested in July last year. The three men were accused of trying to enter the country illegally.

Other Americans in prison in the South American country include former Green Berets Luke Denman and Airan Berry, who were jailed for their participation in a failed armed incursion in 2020.

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