This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjw4yejwlpeo

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Venezuela frees six US men after Trump envoy meets Maduro Trump says Venezuela will accept migrants returned from US
(about 11 hours later)
Venezuelan state media said Maduro's discussions with Grenell had been respectfulVenezuelan state media said Maduro's discussions with Grenell had been respectful
Venezuela has freed six US detainees after talks in Caracas between President Nicolás Maduro and a senior Trump administration official. Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post on Saturday that Venezuela had agreed to take back migrants who had come to the United States illegally.
The release of the men was announced on social media by Donald Trump and his special envoy, Richard Grenell. Their names have not been made public. The announcement came after a meeting between President Nicolás Maduro and a senior Trump administration official, Richard Grenell that led to the release of six US detainees held in Venezuela.
Grenell - who published online a photo of the six on board his plane - said they had spoken by phone to President Trump to thank him. "Venezuela has agreed to receive, back into their Country, all Venezuela illegal aliens who were encamped in the U.S., including gang members of Tren de Aragua," Trump wrote. "Venezuela has further agreed to supply the transportation back."
Earlier, the White House had called on Venezuela to release what it called "US hostages" - as well as agreeing to receive Venezuelan criminals deported by the US - or face consequences. Venezuela has not independently announced the deal.
The BBC has reached out to Venezuela's mission to the United Nations for comment.
Venezuela's Maduro sworn in for third term after contested electionsVenezuela's Maduro sworn in for third term after contested elections
US announces $25m reward for arrest of Venezuela's MaduroUS announces $25m reward for arrest of Venezuela's Maduro
'I thought I was going to die': Jailed Venezuelan activist'I thought I was going to die': Jailed Venezuelan activist
A statement issued by the Venezuelan government said that migration was among the topics discussed by Grenell and Maduro, according to the Venezuelan state-sponsored broadcaster TeleSUR.
The earlier release of the six US detainees was announced on social media by Trump and Grenell. Their names have not been made public.
Grenell did not name the six men, who were seen dressed in light blue outfits used by the Venezuelan prison system.Grenell did not name the six men, who were seen dressed in light blue outfits used by the Venezuelan prison system.
At least nine people with US citizenship or residency are believed to be among over 2,200 detained by Venezuelan authorities following nationwide protests over the disputed July 2024 election results, in which Nicolás Maduro claimed victory. At least nine people with US citizenship or residency are believed to be among more than 2,200 detained by Venezuelan authorities following nationwide protests over the disputed July 2024 election results, in which Maduro claimed victory.
His re-election was widely rejected by the opposition and international community, including the US. He was sworn in for his third term last month.His re-election was widely rejected by the opposition and international community, including the US. He was sworn in for his third term last month.
"We are wheels up and headed home with these 6 American citizens," Grenell posted on X. "They just spoke to @realDonaldTrump and they couldn't stop thanking him.""We are wheels up and headed home with these 6 American citizens," Grenell posted on X. "They just spoke to @realDonaldTrump and they couldn't stop thanking him."
Trump hailed the move in a separate post, saying Grenell was bringing the six "home from Venezuela".Trump hailed the move in a separate post, saying Grenell was bringing the six "home from Venezuela".
Venezuelan state media said the discussions with President Trump's envoy had been respectful.Venezuelan state media said the discussions with President Trump's envoy had been respectful.
After the meeting, Maduro said the talks had had "zero agenda" and that he sought a "new beginning in bilateral relations" with the US.After the meeting, Maduro said the talks had had "zero agenda" and that he sought a "new beginning in bilateral relations" with the US.
However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier on Friday that Grenell's visit did not mean US recognition of Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate leader.However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier on Friday that Grenell's visit did not mean US recognition of Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate leader.