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Joshua Holt case: Venezuela freed US 'hostage', says Trump Joshua Holt case: Venezuela confirms release of US prisoner
(about 4 hours later)
US President Donald Trump says Venezuela has freed an American being held "hostage" and he should arrive back in Washington on Saturday evening. A US citizen imprisoned in Venezuela has been released after spending two years in jail on charges of concealing weapons, Venezuelan authorities say.
"Looking forward to seeing Joshua Holt this evening in the White House," he tweeted. Mr Holt's Venezuelan partner Thamy is also said to have been freed. Joshua Holt and his Venezuelan partner Thamy are returning to the US on the orders of President Nicolás Maduro, a Venezuelan government minister said.
US Senator Bob Corker met President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas on Friday. US President Donald Trump earlier tweeted that he was "looking forward" to seeing Mr Holt at the White House.
US Senator Bob Corker met Mr Maduro for talks in Caracas on Friday.
A spokesman for Mr Maduro said the couple's release was a "gesture" aimed at improving dialogue between Caracas and Washington.
Mr Maduro was re-elected to a six-year term last week but Washington has not recognised the outcome.Mr Maduro was re-elected to a six-year term last week but Washington has not recognised the outcome.
Venezuela had not discussed the nature of the talks with Mr Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but said they were "good news for the Venezuelan people".Venezuela had not discussed the nature of the talks with Mr Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but said they were "good news for the Venezuelan people".
The US has previously accused Venezuela of using Mr Holt as a bargaining chip towards changing Washington's sanctions policy on the country.The US has previously accused Venezuela of using Mr Holt as a bargaining chip towards changing Washington's sanctions policy on the country.
Mr Trump said he expected the freed man and his family to be at the White House by 19:00 local time (23:00 GMT).Mr Trump said he expected the freed man and his family to be at the White House by 19:00 local time (23:00 GMT).
The president said the people of Utah would be "very happy".The president said the people of Utah would be "very happy".
Mr Holt is a former Mormon missionary from Utah who had travelled to Caracas in June 2016 to marry his Venezuelan girlfriend, Thamy Candelo.Mr Holt is a former Mormon missionary from Utah who had travelled to Caracas in June 2016 to marry his Venezuelan girlfriend, Thamy Candelo.
She is also a Mormon and the couple intended that Ms Candelo and her children would move with Mr Holt to the US following the marriage.She is also a Mormon and the couple intended that Ms Candelo and her children would move with Mr Holt to the US following the marriage.
While waiting for their US visas, Mr Holt and his wife were detained in her family's house in Caracas and accused of hiding weapons.While waiting for their US visas, Mr Holt and his wife were detained in her family's house in Caracas and accused of hiding weapons.
Utah Senator Orrin Hatch, who said he had worked with two presidential administrations and various contacts, including President Maduro, on the release, said that he "could not be more honoured to be able to reunite Josh with his sweet, long-suffering family".Utah Senator Orrin Hatch, who said he had worked with two presidential administrations and various contacts, including President Maduro, on the release, said that he "could not be more honoured to be able to reunite Josh with his sweet, long-suffering family".
Mr Maduro has frequently accused the US of trying to overthrow him and the US has tightened sanctions recently.Mr Maduro has frequently accused the US of trying to overthrow him and the US has tightened sanctions recently.
Only on Tuesday he expelled the senior US representative in the country, Todd Robinson.Only on Tuesday he expelled the senior US representative in the country, Todd Robinson.
Venezuela is in a five-year economic crisis, suffering from hyperinflation and severe shortages in food and medicine.Venezuela is in a five-year economic crisis, suffering from hyperinflation and severe shortages in food and medicine.
Turnout was low in last Sunday's election, boycotted by much of the opposition. Mr Maduro was credited with winning 68% of the vote.Turnout was low in last Sunday's election, boycotted by much of the opposition. Mr Maduro was credited with winning 68% of the vote.