Prisoner exchange agreement, a new step in US relations

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro stressed that the US release of diplomat Alex Saab is "a testament to justice and truth".

Tổng thống Venezuela gặp nhà ngoại giao Alex Saab tại Phủ tổng thống ngày 20/12. (Nguồn: AP)

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro meets with Mr. Alex Saab at the Venezuelan Presidential Palace on December 20. (Source: AP)

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said on December 20 that the prisoner release and exchange agreement with the United States is a step towards a relationship based on respect, equal treatment and mutual understanding between Washington and Caracas.

President Maduro stressed that the US release of diplomat Alex Saab was “a testament to justice and truth.” He also thanked the Qatari government for its “outstanding” support, with “subtle diplomacy,” in the process of closer ties with the US.

The Venezuelan leader revealed that the intention to release Colombian businessman Alex Saab - a figure believed to be a close confidant of President Maduro - was once "ready" to be implemented during the term of US President Donald Trump (2017-2021), but Mr. Trump's defeat in the 2020 election forced the negotiation process to "restart from scratch".

In addition, the Venezuelan President also sent his US counterpart Joe Biden a message affirming that the South American country "is standing firm, has its own model, is independent, sovereign, is not a colony of any country and does not depend on anyone".

Earlier, also on December 20, the Venezuelan government confirmed that the US had released Colombian businessman Alex Saab. In an official statement, the Venezuelan government expressed its joy at the release of “Venezuelan diplomat” Saab and his return to his homeland “after three and a half years of illegal detention and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.”

President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores received Mr. Saab and his wife at the Venezuelan Presidential Palace shortly after the businessman was released and returned to Caracas.

On the same day, Venezuela also released about 10 Americans and more than 20 other political prisoners.

Regarding the ongoing prisoner exchange, a senior US official affirmed that President Maduro still faces US charges, and the sanctions imposed by Washington against Caracas remain in effect.

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