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The family of Joseph St. Clair confirmed his release. The move comes as the United States threatens to choke off Venezuela’s critical oil revenue.
May 20, 2025, 4:41 p.m. ET
A U.S. Air Force veteran has been released from Venezuelan detention, according to a statement from his family on Tuesday, joining other Americans who have been freed from the South American country during the Trump administration.
It was not immediately clear under what circumstances the former service member, Joseph St. Clair, was released, where he was after being set free, or if he had any contact with his family. The family declined further comment.
His release marks the second time that Venezuela has released Americans from detention since President Trump took office in January.
Six American prisoners came home from Venezuela in late January after Richard Grenell, a special envoy, made an unusual and highly public visit to Caracas, the capital, to meet with the autocratic president, Nicolás Maduro.
The meeting prompted criticism of the Trump government for lending legitimacy to a leader accused of widespread human rights abuses and stealing a recent election. The Venezuelan leader had not had a public visit from a U.S. official in years, and the meeting was seen as a win for him.
Others argued that bringing Americans home was worth the effort.
Mr. St. Clair did four tours in Afghanistan and had traveled to Costa Rica to get treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, his father told The New York Times in March. He said he was not sure how his son ended up in Venezuela and was “floored” when he found out he was in prison.
