US frees Venezuelan government's ally in exchange for 10 imprisoned Americans

BOGOTA, Colombia

Washington released Alex Saab, a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in exchange for the release of 10 Americans detained in Venezuela, according to the US administration on Wednesday.

Saab arrived Wednesday in Venezuela an agreement between Washington and Caracas.

He was received at the airport by his family and first lady Cilia Flores before heading to the Miraflores Palace, where he was received by Maduro.

“I want to welcome this brave, patriotic man, who resisted 1,280 days, 40 months, the most adverse and painful conditions of kidnapping, filthy prisons, physical torture, psychological torture, threats, lies,” Maduro said at a news conference.

Saab, a businessman of Colombian origin, was arrested in Cape Verde in June 2020 and was extradited to the US in October 2021.

Maduro's government argued Saab was on a special mission to obtain food for import to Venezuela.

The US said Saab used the country's financial system to launder money from the payment of bribes. He denies the accusations.

After Saab received a presidential pardon from US President Joe Biden, Venezuela released 10 Americans and 24 Venezuelan prisoners. One of the Americans is a fugitive defense contractor known as “Fat Leonard,” accused in a Pentagon bribery scandal. The other Americans include six who the US said were wrongfully detained.

“These individuals have lost far too much precious time with their loved ones, and their families have suffered every day in their absence. I am grateful that their ordeal is finally over,” Biden said in a statement.

The agreement comes weeks after the White House eased sanctions on Venezuela following a commitment by Maduro to hold free 2024 presidential elections.