A U.S. Air Force veteran detained in Venezuela was released Tuesday after a secret mission led by President Donald Trump’s envoy, Ric Grenell. Joseph St. Clair, a 33-year-old disabled veteran, was arrested in October 2024 while traveling near the Colombian-Venezuelan border. He was later held in a notorious prison condemned by rights groups.
Grenell flew to Antigua for backchannel talks with Venezuelan officials and secured St. Clair’s release. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also announced a 60-day extension of oil license waivers for U.S. companies operating in Venezuela.
Grenell discussed further deportation cooperation, as Venezuela has already taken back over 3,000 illegal migrants. The talks mark a warming of ties as the Maduro regime signals a willingness to work with Trump. Despite public denials from the State Department, sources say Trump has directed direct negotiations with Caracas, resuming repatriation flights and high-level contact with a regime once seen as hostile.
