Joshua Holt, American jailed in Venezuela for 2 years, returns to US after surprise release

In a video posted to Twitter by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Joshua and Thamy Holt, along with their daughter Marian, could be seen embracing happily family.

Holt, a former Mormon missionary, and his wife were arrested in 2016 on weapons charges and were held in a Venezuelan prison in Caracas without a trial. Joshua Holt was also accused of being a spy for the U.S.

The couple’s release came a day after Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who recently won re-election in a contest that the U.S. and other countries viewed as a “sham.”

Soon after landing and reuniting with family, Trump met with Holt in the Oval Office, along with his family, Trump administration officials, and lawmakers. Appearing before reporters, Holt said he was “overwhelmed with gratitude” after he and his wife endured a rough two years.

“I’m so grateful for what you guys have done and for thinking about me and caring about me, just a normal person. It really touches me. Thank you,” he said.

The president complimented the couple for their bravery and thanked Corker and the Utah delegation for their efforts in helping secure the Holts’ release. He also commented on his administration’s record for releasing Americans held in captivity abroad and hinted that more releases are in the works.

“That was a tough situation. But we have had 17 released. And we are very proud of that record. And we have others coming. We’re in the midst of some very big negotiations to the get others out — in most cases they are Americans but we can try and help other countries too where there’s unjustice,” he said.

He named American evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson, who is on trial in Turkey, in particular. He was detained in October 2016 and is accused of aiding plotters behind the 2016 coup attempt.

Holt’s family expressed their gratitude earlier in the day, calling the release a “miracle.” Venezuelan communications minister Jorge Rodriguez said Holt and his wife were released as a goodwill gesture while Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, declared the release was “unconditional.”

“The return of hostage #JoshHolt is great news. Very happy for his family. But sadly 32 million people are still being held hostage by @NicolasMaduro The only ‘goodwill gesture’ that will lift sanctions is the return of democracy,” the senator added.

Venezuela, a South American country run by a socialist government, has been hit by hard times due to plummeting oil prices in recent years, leading to economic strife and widespread food shortages. The Obama administration in 2015 slapped sanctions on several Venezuelan officials over concerns about human rights violations. The Trump administration had threatened punishing oil sanctions on Venezuela if the deeply unpopular Maduro went ahead with a presidential election widely viewed as fixed.

In a statement late Saturday evening, the White House said the U.S.’s attitude towards Venezuela remains unchanged.

“The release of Joshua Holt does not change United States policy. The Maduro regime must call free, fair, and transparent elections, consistent with its constitution. The election process that occurred on May 20 was illegitimate. The regime must allow all Venezuelans and political parties to participate freely in new elections and the democratic process. It must release all political prisoners, and must accept desperately needed international humanitarian aid for Venezuela’s dying citizens,” said a statement from White House press secretary Sarah Sanders. “As demonstrated by the President’s Executive Order of May 21, the United States will continue to use all available tools and options to pressure the Maduro regime to abide by democratic norms, and will continue to build a broad international coalition of like-minded partners who want to see the return of democracy to the people of Venezuela.”

Despite the celebratory mood about Holt’s release, at least five more U.S. citizens, former Citgo executives, remain detained in Venezuela.

Holt’s release comes two weeks after three Americans were freed from North Korea, secured by the Trump administration as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited the country amid planning for a now-canceled summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to discuss denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Trump told reporters gathered in the White House on Saturday that talks to reinstate the meeting, which had originally been planned for June 12 in Singapore, have gone “very well.”