Latest news with #AmericanVeteran
New York Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Venezuela Frees an Air Force Veteran the U.S. Says Was Wrongfully Held
A U.S. Air Force veteran has been released from Venezuelan detention, according to a statement from his family on Tuesday, joining other Americans who have been freed from the South American country during the Trump administration. It was not immediately clear under what circumstances the former service member, Joseph St. Clair, was released, where he was after being set free, or if he had any contact with his family. The family declined further comment. His release marks the second time that Venezuela has released Americans from detention since President Trump took office in January. Six American prisoners came home from Venezuela in late January after Richard Grenell, a special envoy, made an unusual and highly public visit to Caracas, the capital, to meet with the autocratic president, Nicolás Maduro. The meeting prompted criticism of the Trump government for lending legitimacy to a leader accused of widespread human rights abuses and stealing a recent election. The Venezuelan leader had not had a public visit from a U.S. official in years, and the meeting was seen a win for him. Others argued that bringing Americans home was worth the effort. Mr. St. Clair did four tours in Afghanistan and had traveled to Costa Rica to get treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, his father told The New York Times in March. He said he was not sure how his son ended up in Venezuela and was 'floored' when he found out he was in prison. 'He served his country,' the older Mr. St. Clair told The Times. At the time he was concerned about how his son's P.T.S.D. would affect him in prison. 'I am in a very dark room,' the father said, 'and I am looking for a sliver of light.' The State Department has said that Joseph St. Clair, whose release was first reported by The Wall Street Journal, was wrongfully detained. In the family's statements on Tuesday, his parents, Scott and Patti St Clair, said, 'This news came suddenly, and we are still processing it — but we are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.' They thanked President Trump and Mr. Grenell, among others. 'We remain in prayer and solidarity with the families of those who are still being held,' the family added. 'We will never stop loving and supporting them as they continue their fight to be reunited with their loved ones.' With Mr. St. Clair's release there are still eight U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents that remain in Venezuelan custody. Venezuela is in dire economic condition, and Mr. Trump has threatened to choke off much of its international oil trade with new tariffs and other measures. Mr. Maduro's government has signaled its willingness to cooperate with the United States, accepting deportation flights and releasing prisoners, hoping to head off the moves against its oil industry and ease existing sanctions. As Mr. Maduro has lost support both abroad and at home in recent years, his government has arrested dozens of prisoners from around the world to use as leverage in negotiations. Sophie Hunter, whose brother Lucas Hunter is among the Americans still detained in Venezuela, said in a statement that her family was 'grateful' to learn of Mr. St. Clair's release. 'It gives us hope that Lucas will come home to us soon,' she said.
CNN
20-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
American veteran released from imprisonment in Venezuela
An American Air Force veteran has been released from imprisonment in Venezuela, a US official and the man's family said in a statement Tuesday. Joseph St. Clair was released to US special envoy Richard Grenell, the family statement said. St. Clair had been detained since November and was one of nine Americans declared wrongfully detained in Venezuela. 'This news came suddenly, and we are still processing it — but we are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude,' Scott and Patti St. Clair said. The details around Joseph St. Clair's release were not immediately clear. The families of Americans wrongfully detained in Venezuela met virtually with senior national security official Seb Gorka earlier this month, participants and a White House official told CNN. In late April, Patti St. Clair had expressed concern for her son's well-being, noting that he suffers from 'severe PTSD.' 'Can you imagine his fear? Can you imagine the isolation that he must be feeling battling his unseen scars in a foreign prison, unsure if help is even coming?' she said at a 'Bring Our Families Home' event in Washington, DC She had called on President Donald Trump and Congress to 'act now to save Joe and his fellow captives.'
CNN
20-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
American veteran released from imprisonment in Venezuela
An American Air Force veteran has been released from imprisonment in Venezuela, a US official and the man's family said in a statement Tuesday. Joseph St. Clair was released to US special envoy Richard Grenell, the family statement said. St. Clair had been detained since November and was one of nine Americans declared wrongfully detained in Venezuela. 'This news came suddenly, and we are still processing it — but we are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude,' Scott and Patti St. Clair said. The details around Joseph St. Clair's release were not immediately clear. The families of Americans wrongfully detained in Venezuela met virtually with senior national security official Seb Gorka earlier this month, participants and a White House official told CNN. In late April, Patti St. Clair had expressed concern for her son's well-being, noting that he suffers from 'severe PTSD.' 'Can you imagine his fear? Can you imagine the isolation that he must be feeling battling his unseen scars in a foreign prison, unsure if help is even coming?' she said at a 'Bring Our Families Home' event in Washington, DC She had called on President Donald Trump and Congress to 'act now to save Joe and his fellow captives.'
CNN
20-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
American veteran released from imprisonment in Venezuela
An American Air Force veteran has been released from imprisonment in Venezuela, a US official and the man's family said in a statement Tuesday. Joseph St. Clair was released to US special envoy Richard Grenell, the family statement said. St. Clair had been detained since November and was one of nine Americans declared wrongfully detained in Venezuela. 'This news came suddenly, and we are still processing it — but we are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude,' Scott and Patti St. Clair said. The details around Joseph St. Clair's release were not immediately clear. The families of Americans wrongfully detained in Venezuela met virtually with senior national security official Seb Gorka earlier this month, participants and a White House official told CNN. In late April, Patti St. Clair had expressed concern for her son's well-being, noting that he suffers from 'severe PTSD.' 'Can you imagine his fear? Can you imagine the isolation that he must be feeling battling his unseen scars in a foreign prison, unsure if help is even coming?' she said at a 'Bring Our Families Home' event in Washington, DC She had called on President Donald Trump and Congress to 'act now to save Joe and his fellow captives.'
