U.S. seeks humanitarian release of ‘wrongfully detained’ Americans in Venezuela
Release
By Harrison Arubu
New York, March 19, 2020 (NAN) The U.S. has called for the humanitarian release of six “wrongfully detained” Americans in Venezuela.
U.S. Secretary of State Mr Michael Pompeo made the call on Thursday, citing concerns over their health following reported cases of the coronavirus in Venezuela.
In a statement, Pompeo said the detainees had “weakened immune systems due to cumulative health problems and face a grave health risk if they become infected.
“With the Maduro regime now acknowledging that COVID-19 cases are appearing in Venezuela, we are extremely concerned about the risk for the five U.S. citizens and one U.S. resident from Citgo who are currently languishing in the notorious Helicoide prison in Caracas.
“These wrongfully detained men all have weakened immune systems due to cumulative health problems and face a grave health risk if they become infected.
“Seventeen hearings have been cancelled. They have already spent more than two years in jail without an ounce of evidence being brought against them.
“It is time to release them on humanitarian grounds,” Pompeo said.
Media reports say the men were arrested on Nov. 21, 2017 while on a business trip to the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
The five Americans are identified as Toledo, Gustavo Cardenas, Tomeu Vadell, Alirio Zambrano, and José Luis Zambrano.
Being held with them is José Angel Pereira, a former Chief Executive Officer of Citgo and U.S. permanent resident.
Relations have strained between the U.S. and the Venezuelan government led by President Nicolás Maduro over the political crisis in the South American country.
The administration of President Donald Trump and most Western governments recognise opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president.
This is amid a worsening economic crisis and accusations of widespread corruption and human rights violations in the country.
The U.S. has been at the vanguard of international pressure on the Venezuelan president to step down.
In recent times, the Trump administration has imposed several economic sanctions on the Venezuela government, and frozen Maduro’s assets in the U.S. (NAN)
ARU/YEE
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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim