MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – The United States agreed to free a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in exchange for 10 Americans imprisoned there.
Alex Saab, a close ally of Maduro, was released in exchange for several Americans who were in jail in the South American country.
The 51-year-old was arrested and charged with money laundering and is accused of being Maduro’s bag man.
While it’s not clear which Americans have been freed, the White House confirmed that 10 are coming home.
“These individuals have lost far too much precious time with their loved ones, and their families have suffered every day in their absence,” said President Joe Biden. “I am grateful that their ordeal is finally over, and that these families are being made whole once more.”
U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Florida, did not agree with the move, saying now other regimes can simply kidnap Americans as a way to negotiate with the U.S.
“Yes, it’s (good) news for the families that they’re coming back, but this action places more Americans at risk,” said Gimenez.
Florida International University politics and international relations Professor Eduardo Gamarra told Local 10 News that this could be part of a long term strategy for the White House, as the Biden Administration tries to figure out how to deal with Venezuela.
“The U.S. has been struggling with this,” Gamarra said. “It doesn’t really know how to deal with Venezuela.”
In October, the White House announced the easing of sanctions on Venezuela’s oil rich industry in exchange for free and fair elections next year.
“I have some very strong doubts that will in fact happen,” said Gamarra.
That same month, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was declared the winner of the presidential primary in Venezuela.
Despite her victory, Maduro’s government is already putting up roadblocks for her campaign.
Maduro has also grabbed headlines for reportedly wanting to invade neighboring oil-rich Guyana in what critics call a distraction.
No matter what happens, certainly the prisoner swap is bound to have electoral consequences for Biden and his re-election bid.
“The Biden administration is going to take yet another blow with the Venezuelan community, the Cuban community, the Colombian community, and others who have been very critical of how this administration has handled US-Latin American policy,” said Gamarra.
The U.S. Department of State identified four of the six “wrongfully detained U.S. nationals from Venezuela” as Joseph Cristella, Eyvin Hernandez, Jerrel Kenemore and Savoi Wright. Two of the prisoners did not want their identities made public.
Additionally, the identities of four additional U.S. nationals who were released were not made public.