CARACAS: Six Ameri­cans detained in Vene­zuela were released on Friday and returned to the United States with President Donald Trump’s special envoy, following his meeting with President Nicolas Maduro who called for a “new beginning” in ties with Washington.

“We are wheels up and headed home with these 6 American citizens. They just spoke to @realDonaldTrump and they couldn’t stop thanking him,” Richard Grenell, an outspoken Trump ally who serves in a broad role as envoy for special missions, posted on X.

The six men, who were not identified, were photographed smiling on a plane alongside Grenell. “Just been informed that we are bringing six hostages home from Venezuela. Thank you to Ric Grenell and my entire staff. Great job!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

Grenell had travelled to Caracas to demand that Maduro’s government accept the unconditional return of Venezuelans deported from the United States or face consequences.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2025

Opinion

Editorial

Depopulating Gaza
Updated 07 Feb, 2025

Depopulating Gaza

The least feasible "solution" is the Trumpian plan for Gaza’s ethnic cleansing and occupation, which is a non-starter.
‘Pause’ in US aid
07 Feb, 2025

‘Pause’ in US aid

THE impact of the Trump administration’s decision to ‘pause’ all US foreign aid programmes, especially those...
Mobilising opposition
07 Feb, 2025

Mobilising opposition

POLITICS makes strange bedfellows. There has not, for quite some time, been a guest list as intriguing as the one...
No time left
Updated 06 Feb, 2025

No time left

Climate change concerns continue to remain a footnote as politics dominates national discourse, surfacing only when disaster strikes.
Karim Aga Khan
06 Feb, 2025

Karim Aga Khan

PRINCE Karim Aga Khan was a man who straddled various worlds and cultures. Beyond his role as spiritual leader of ...
Cotton production
06 Feb, 2025

Cotton production

PAKISTAN’S cotton crop is on the ropes. The crop output has been falling since FY15, when the country harvested a...