American missionary Josh Holt, held by Venezuela without trial on weapons charges since 2016, returned home with his wife on Saturday after the South American country’s socialist government unexpectedly released them.
They were welcomed to the White House by US President Donald Trump, who told Holt he had been ‘incredibly brave.’
“It’s amazing that you were able to take it ... that was a tough situation,” Trump said during a televised meeting at the Oval Office with Holt’s parents.
The freeing of the Mormon missionary from Utah came despite deepening US-Venezuelan tensions that in the last week saw tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats, Washington’s refusal to recognise the May 20 re-election of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and the imposition of new US sanctions on Caracas.
Holt, who was arrested in June 2016 while he was in the country for his wedding to his Venezuela-born wife, said he was ‘overwhelmed’ to be back home after two very difficult years, reports Reuters.
“I’m just so grateful for what you guys have done, and for thinking about me, and caring about me, just a normal person,” Holt said during the Oval Office meeting. “It really touches me,” he said, his voice breaking.
The couple were accompanied home by US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, who met on Friday with Maduro.
Utah Senator Orrin Hatch, who was also at the Oval Office meeting, said earlier on Saturday in a statement that Holt’s release followed two years of intense lobbying, working with two presidential administrations, countless diplomatic contacts around the world, and Maduro himself.
“You better really live a good life,” Hatch told Holt at the White House, drawing chuckles from Holt’s family and others.
In a statement, Holt’s relatives gave thanks “to all who participated in this miracle.”
A source familiar with the issue who asked to remain anonymous said there was no quid pro quo or agreement to ease US sanctions tied to Holt’s release, and that Trump was not involved in the final negotiations.