America Releases One of Maduro's Allies

A high-ranking Venezuelan source reported today, Wednesday, that "the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro will release 36 individuals including 12 Americans in exchange for the U.S. government releasing one of Maduro's allies." The source indicated that Maduro's ally is Colombian businessman Alex Saab. U.S. prosecutors allege that Saab embezzled approximately $350 million from Venezuela through the United States in a scheme that involved bribing Venezuelan government officials. Saab denies the accusation. The source added that among those released are 20 Venezuelans linked to the opposition who have been detained for some time, in addition to four others who participated either in the campaign of opposition presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado or in organizing the opposition's primary elections held in October. Reuters was unable to immediately identify the twelve Americans who will be released.