U.S. oil executives released from prison to house arrest in Venezuela
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epa07091587 The iconic Citgo sign is seen beyond the outfield prior to the start of the American League Championship Series game one at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 13 October 2018. The winner of the best-of seven series will go on to face either the Milwaukee Brewers or the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. EPA-EFE/CJ GUNTHER
The iconic Citgo sign is seen beyond the outfield prior to the start of the American League Championship Series game one at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2018. Six men who had served as executives for Citgo were released from prison to house arrest in Venezuela Friday. Photo by CJ Gunter/EPA-EFE
‘CITGO 6’ oil executives released to house arrest in Venezuela, report says
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This undated photo posted on Twitter on June 18, 2020 by Venezuela s Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, shows CITGO oil executives Jose Angel Pereira, from left to right, Gustavo Cardenas, Jorge Toledo, Jose Luis Zambrano, Tomeu Vadell and Alirio Jose Zambrano, standing outside the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service, in Caracas, Venezuela. The men have been jailed for over two years since officials under Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro asked them to travel from the Houston-based CITGO headquarters for a meeting, when they were arrested. ((Posted on Twitter by Jorge Arreaza/Venezuela s Foreign Ministry via AP))
“CITGO 6” oil executives launched to deal with arrest in Venezuela in obvious goodwill gesture to US
The group, collectively known as “CITGO 6,” consisted of former executives of US-based refinery CITGO. They were arrested in 2017 on embezzlement charges stemming from a never-executed proposal to refinance some $4 billion in CITGO bonds by offering a 50% stake in the company as collateral. Last year, they were sentenced to between 8 and 13 years in prison.
Attorneys Maria Alejandra Poleo and Jesus Loreto told CNN the six were released from prison on Friday night in Caracas and were on their way home.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza retweeted a message on Friday calling the release a goodwill “gesture” to honor the “agenda of the new White House.” CNN has contacted a Venezuelan government spokesperson to seek more information.
Scott Smith
FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2021 file photo, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a ceremony marking the start of the judicial year at the Supreme Court in Caracas, Venezuela. Maduro said Wednesday, Feb. 17, that he is open to dialogue with the new U.S. administration on calming tensions between the two governments. But he is also leveling fresh accusations that six American oil executives jailed in Caracas spied for the CIA. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File) February 17, 2021 - 3:45 PM
Venezuelaâs president said Wednesday he is open to dialogue with the new U.S. administration on calming tensions between the two governments and easing his nation s economic crisis, even while doubling down with fresh accusations that six American oil executives jailed in Caracas spied for the CIA, a claim rejected by relatives and a defence lawyer in the case.