Six Americans who were being held hostage in Venezuela were freed Friday night following President Trump’s envoy for special missions Richard Grenell‘s visit to the South American country.
“Just been informed that we are bringing six hostages home from Venezuela. Thank you to Ric Grenell and my entire staff. Great job!” Trump posted on Truth Social Friday night.
Grenell met with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro to send a warning about the consequences that would come from the continued detainment of the Americans.
“We are wheels up and headed home with these 6 American citizens. They just spoke to @realDonaldTrump and they couldn’t stop thanking him,” Grenell posted on the social media platform X along with a photo of the six men.
Prior to Friday’s hostage release, at least 10 American citizens were being detained in Venezuela.
Mauricio Claver-Carone, Trump’s special envoy for Latin America, told reporters in an earlier call on Friday that Grenell was visiting Latin America on a “very specific mission” that did not affect the U.S.’s posture towards Maduro’s leadership. The U.S. government maintains Maduro’s election victory was “illegitimate” and a “desperate attempt to seize power.”
Reports suggest the deal involved Venezuela agreeing to accept Venezuelan migrants from the U.S. and the release of the Americans in exchange for the U.S. giving Venezuela certain concessions. However, the details of the agreement were not immediately clear.
Claver Carone said Grenell’s demands to Maduro involved Venezuela accepting back its “criminals and gangs” in addition to the release of American hostages, according to The Washington Post.
