Special Envoy Richard Grenell. Photo: New York Times.
On Tuesday, Venezuela handed over to the United States a US military pilot who had been tried in Venezuelan territory, according to sources from Antigua and Barbuda who spoke to the Venezuelan media outlet Laiguana.tv.
The transfer took place in the context of the negotiations currently being held by both countries in the Caribbean nation, where representatives of President Nicolás Maduro’s government are meeting with Richard Grenell, special envoy of US President Donald Trump.
Diplomatic talks between the two nations continue in Antigua and Barbuda, according to information provided by the sources consulted.
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Chevron in Venezuela
The administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing to extend the permit that allows Chevron Corporation to maintain its operations in Venezuela for an additional 60 days, according to a source close to the process. This decision coincides with a diplomatic breakthrough that led to the release and surrender of the US soldier by the Venezuelan government.
The announcement was expected this Tuesday, the same day that Richard Grenell, President Trump’s special envoy, traveled to Antigua to meet with representatives of Nicolás Maduro’s Venezuelan government, according to sources cited by Bloomberg.
As an apparent direct result of these negotiations, Grenell returned from Antigua with Joe St. Clair, a US Air Force veteran who was detained in Venezuela, according to a post on the X platform by conservative activist Laura Loomer, a Trump ally.
This release represents a breakthrough in bilateral talks that primarily cover two critical issues: repatriation flights for Venezuelan citizens from the United States and the situation of US citizens detained in Venezuela.
The US Treasury Department had previously set April 3 as the deadline for Chevron to cease its activities in Venezuela, but this deadline had already been extended to provide the oil company with more time. Chevron accounts for approximately 20% of Venezuela’s oil production.
Impact of the thaw
Relations between the two countries have recently shown signs of a possible easing of tension. President Nicolás Maduro had previously thanked Donald Trump for allowing Maikelys Espinoza to reunite with her mother in Venezuela. She arrived in Caracas last week after being separated for a year due to a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) order.
At the same time, Venezuela agreed to continue regular return flights for its emigrants from the United States.
The context of these negotiations is framed by the recent decision by the US Supreme Court, which allowed the Trump administration to end legal protection for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans, eliminating their temporary right to reside and work in the United States and exposing many to possible deportation.
(TeleSUR)
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/KW/SL
