Venezuela releases US missionary Josh Holt from jail
May 27, 2018
Days after President Nicolas Maduro pledged to release political prisoners, his government freed US citizen Joshua Holt. The US had accused Caracas of holding Holt as a 'bargaining chip' in exchange for sanctions relief.
Image: picture alliance/abaca/C. Kleponis
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The Venezuelan government released American missionary Joshua Holt and his Venezuelan wife Thamara Caleno on Saturday, after two years behind bars on weapons charges.
The release follows a concerted diplomatic effort from US Senators, former president Barack Obama's administration and current president Donald Trump, to lobby the Venezuelan government for their freedom.
Holt and his wife reunited at a Caracas airport, along with one of her daughters from a previous relationship. There they met US Senator Bob Corker, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, who had flown to Caracas to discuss the impending release with President Nicolas Maduro. "We are on our way home," Corker tweeted.
Upon arrival in Washington, Holt met with President Trump at the White House. "I'm just overwhelmed with gratitude," said Holt, at the Oval Office.
"Those two years, they were a very, very, very difficult two years. Not really the great vacation that I was looking for ... I'm just so grateful for what you guys have done," he added.
Holt's family at the oval officeImage: picture alliance/abaca/C. Kleponis
A wedding and a nightmare
Josh Holt was arrested in June 2016 when he had traveled to Venezuela to celebrate his wedding to Thamara Caleno. He had met Thamara online and both shared the Mormon faith. The two came into contact as Holt was seeking to meet Spanish-speaking Mormons to improve his Spanish skills.
Holt was hoping to spend several months with his new wife in Venezuela, while he processed visas for her and her two daughters to return with him to the US.
But the couple was detained and held without trial at the headquarters of intelligence agency SEBIN (Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Spanish: Servicio Bolivariano de Inteligencia Nacional, SEBIN)), in Caracas. Authorities accused them of stockpiling weapons and espionage against the Venezuelan government. Just earlier this month, the number two official in Venezuela's government had pledged to keep Holt behind bars and labeled him "the head of U.S. espionage in Latin America."
Holt's family accused the Venezuelan government of framing the couple. The US government accused Maduro's government of using Holt as a bargaining chip, as Washington had leveled sanctions against it in the meantime.
Holt's mother, Laurie Holt, said her son has suffered numerous health problems, including kidney stones, respiratory problems, depression and weight loss, while in custody.
In a statement, the Holt family thanked everyone who had "participated in this miracle" and asked the media to respect the family's privacy. "We ask that you allow us to meet with our son and his wife before giving any interviews and statements."
Venezuela's communications minister, Jorge Rodriguez, said that Holt's release was a goodwill gesture from Maduro's government toward the US.
"We're praying that this type of gesture ... will allow us to strengthen what we've always sought: dialogue, harmony, respect for our independence and respect for our sovereignty," he said.
Vice President Mike Pence dispelled any rumors that the Venezuelan government might get sanctions relief in return for Holt's freedom. In a tweet, Pence said that sanctions would continue "until democracy returns to Venezuela."
The statement was echoed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who also reinforced the notion that US policy will remain unchanged. "The United States stands steadfast in support of the Venezuelan people and their efforts to return to democracy," Pompeo said in a statement.
Venezuela on the brink
Venezuela is facing collapse amid multiple crises. DW takes a look at what has brought the oil-rich nation to its knees.
In March 2017, violent protests erupted across the country in response to a Supreme Court decision to strip the legislative branch of its powers. Amid an international outcry, President Nicolas Maduro reversed the decision, but it was too late. Thousands continued to take to the streets, calling for new elections. More than 100 people were killed in clashes with security forces.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/J. Barreto
Hunger, a growing problem
The violence added to the ongoing economic and political crisis in Venezuela. Many Venezuelans spend more than 30 hours a week waiting in lines to shop, and are often confronted with empty shelves when they finally enter a store. President Maduro blames the crisis on US price speculation. The opposition, however, accuses the Socialist government of economic mismanagement.
Image: picture-alliance/AA/C. Becerra
Health care in crisis
The crisis has even affected health care in the oil-rich nation. Venezuelans often head to Colombia to collect medical supplies to send home, as seen in this picture. Hospitals across Venezuela have compared conditions to those seen only in war zones. As patient deaths rise, health officials have sounded the alarm on the rise of malaria and dengue fever.
Image: picture alliance/dpa/M.Duenas Castaneda
Power grab
By July 2017, Venezuela's pro-government Constituent Assembly was established. For observers, it had all the hallmarks of a power grab. The new body adopted the authority to pass legislation on a range of issues, effectively taking away the powers of Venezuela's elected congress, which was under the opposition's control. The move drew wide international condemnation.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/P. Miraflores
The West sanctions
In response to the political crisis, the United States and European Union imposed a series of sanctions against ruling officials. The US blacklisted members of the Constituent Assembly and froze all of Maduro's assets that are subject to US jurisdiction. The EU banned arms sales to the country.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/AFP/T. Schwarz
Government victorious in regional elections
In October 2017, Venezuela held two votes: regional elections and elections for governors, which were long overdue. The opposition boycotted the vote, but then split, as some candidates and small parties chose to participate. This caused a deep rift within Maduro's opponents. The government went on to sweep the vote, which detractors say was unfair and heavily favored the regime.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Cubillos
Debt default
In November 2017, the oil-rich, cash-poor nation faced its day of reckoning. Credit ratings agencies declared Venezuela and its state-run oil company in "selective default." But Russia offered to restructure the South American country's debt to ensure Caracas pays its other creditors. US and EU sanctions, however, limited the chance of an agreement.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Cubillos
Presidential elections scheduled
The National Assembly announced in January 2018 that it would grant Maduro's call for snap presidential elections. The electoral authority, CNE, held the elections on May 20. The EU, the US and 14 Latin American nations warned that they would not recognize the results. The mainstream MUD opposition alliance boycotted the vote, leaving only one possible outcome.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Parra
Maduro wins ...
Maduro was re-elected to a second six-year term with about 68 percent of the vote. Turnout was only 46 percent, according to electoral authorities. However, the MUD opposition alliance put turnout at less than 30 percent. The Organization of American States (OAS) called the elections neither free nor fair.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Cubillos
... Guaido assumes power
But weeks into the new year, the situation took a drastic turn. On January 23, 2019, parliament president Juan Guaido declared himself interim president of Venezuela — a move that was quickly recognized by US President Donald Trump. Maduro called it a US-backed "coup." Days later, the US sanctioned Venezuela's state oil firm, while Guaido staked his claim on the country's foreign assets.
