6 Americans Detained in Venezuela Released After Visit by Trump Envoy

Trump told reporters on Jan. 31 that the meeting was not meant to give credibility to Maduro’s presidency, which is not recognized by the United States.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (R) shakes hands with Richard Grenell, President Donald Trump's special envoy, at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on Jan. 31, 2025. Venezuela's presidential press office via AP

Six American citizens who had been held in Venezuela were freed following a meeting between President Nicolás Maduro and Richard Grenell, a senior U.S. official, according to the Trump administration.

Grenell shared an image on social media platform X of himself and the freed individuals on an aircraft on Jan. 31.