Venezuela Judge Convicts 6 American Oil Execs, Orders Prison

Venezuela Judge Convicts 6 American Oil Execs, Orders Prison
Jesus Loreto, an attorney representing Tomeu Vadell, one of six U.S. oil executives jailed for three years in Venezuela, shows a letter written by Vadell, in Caracas, Venezuela, on Nov. 25, 2020. Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo
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CARACAS, Venezuela—Six American oil executives held for three years in Venezuela were found guilty of corruption charges by a judge Thursday and immediately sentenced to prison, dashing hopes of a quick release that would send them home to their families in the United States.

Some relatives had been bracing for the disheartening outcome, which came on the evening of Thanksgiving Day.