Biden Administration Reaches Deal With Venezuela Over Prisoner Release

The Biden administration has reached a deal with Venezuela that resulted in the release of 30 prisoners in Venezuela, including 10 Americans. In exchange, the United States freed one of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro's closest allies.

The Maduro ally, Colombian businessman Alex Saab, was accused of siphoning off nearly $350 million from Venezuela through the United States in a scheme that involved bribing Venezuelan government officials.

According to the White House, the 10 Americans are on their way home. Six of them, including Joseph Cristella, Eyvin Hernandez, Jerrel Kenemore, and Savoi Wright, had been wrongfully detained.

As part of the deal, Venezuela turned over to the United States Leonard Francis, a former military contractor known as “Fat Leonard" who was involved in a bribery and corruption scandal. The White House confirmed that Mr. Francis had been arrested and brought back to the United States.

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