The Vice President of Government for Communication and Culture, Jorge Rodríguez, on behalf of the National Government reported this Saturday afternoon on the release of Joshua Holt, a US citizen prosecuted for espionage, violence and actions contrary to what is established in the Bolivarian Constitution and in the Venezuelan laws.
His wife, Tamara Belén Caleño, was also released, prosecuted for the same crimes and in accordance with the laws of the country. Both are on their way to the United States, said the Minister for Communication and Information, in statements offered to the press from the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas.
He indicated that the release of Holt and Caleño occurs after a measure of full freedom benefit issued by the Judiciary, after evaluating a request made by the Commission for Truth, Justice, Peace and Public Tranquility of the National Constituent Assembly (ANC).
Rodriguez specified that the ANC made such a request before the Judiciary after the President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro Moros, made this demand as a result of a process of talks and dialogue held several months ago with senators and representatives of the Congress of the US.
«For some months now, President Maduro has held meetings, fruitful meetings that have taken place in a climate of cordiality, dialogue and exchange of opinions and exchange of ideas, with representatives and senators from the Congress of the United States of America , and, in those meetings, in addition to some topics that were discussed regarding the relations between the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, presided over by our President Nicolás Maduro, and the Government of the United States of America, an application was made by these senators and representative so that there would be some benefit of liberation for Mr. Joshua Holt», he explained.
The Vice President of Government for Communication also indicated that this measure issued by the Judiciary seeks to promote peace, reconciliation, dialogue and diplomatic relations on the basis of mutual respect, and in addition to this: «Has the aim of opening the floodgates to avoid the aggressions to which the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has been subjected», he added.
«We vow that this kind of gesture by our President Nicolás Maduro will strengthen what has always been our point of view: dialogue, concord, respect for our independence, respect for our sovereignty», stressed Rodríguez.
«This gesture that exalts our President Nicolás Maduro, and that we hope will be read by those factors that permanently promote aggression and violence against Venezuela as a deep intensification of the search for peace between Venezuelans and Venezuelans and also with the peoples of the world», he stressed.
The President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro, five days ago was ratified in office for the 2019-2025 Presidential term. After the sovereign will expressed in these elections, he reiterated that the way forward is clear: dialogue, reunion and national prosperity.