One of the U.S. prisoners released in Venezuela is Gustavo Cardenas, an official with U.S. oil company Citgo who was arrested in 2017 and sentenced to more than four years in prison, people familiar with the matter said today. . Another U.S. citizen released by Venezuela is Jorge Alberto Fernandez of Cuban descent.
There is currently no information on the current whereabouts of the U.S. citizen. However, they are expected to fly back to the United States immediately after their release.
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The U.S. is persuading Venezuela to release at least nine citizens, including six Citgo leaders, two former Green Berets and a former Marine, sources familiar with the matter said.
Neither the State Department nor Venezuelan officials commented on the report.
Venezuela’s move comes after a delegation of top U.S. officials traveled to Caracas over the weekend for talks with President Nicolas Maduro’s government, including discussions on energy supplies.
The U.S. delegation assured Venezuela of free presidential elections, reformed the oil industry and condemned Russian military action in Ukraine, according to sources familiar with the matter. In return, the United States is ready to ease its oil embargo on Venezuela, allowing it to use the SWIFT international financial system and facilitating financial transactions with banks around the world.
Meanwhile, President Maduro has demanded that the U.S. completely lift sanctions that ban oil exports to Venezuela, lifting sanctions on him and government officials. However, no statement has been made between the two countries.
The visit by senior U.S. officials to Venezuela is said to be related to the country’s plan to find alternative supplies of some of its oil, which it buys from Russia. U.S. President Joe Biden yesterday announced a ban on imports of Russian oil and other energy sources in response to Ukrainian military action.
relation America Venezuela has been on edge for years after Washington led nearly 60 countries to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido and imposed sanctions on President Maduro’s government. Since 2019, U.S. sanctions have blocked deals with Venezuelan crude, which accounts for 96 percent of the country’s revenue.
A pipeline that transports Russian natural gas to Europe. Click on the photo to see details. Graphics:Reuters.
Yuying (according to Reuters)
