This Tuesday, the Venezuelan government handed over to its United States counterpart war veteran Joe St. Clair, a former Marine captured last November while carrying out suspected terrorist activities in our country.
Joseph St. Clair is a U.S. Air Force veteran. He served in covert operations in Afghanistan on four occasions, and in other Latin American countries, where he allegedly carried out food aid activities.
According to his parents, the former soldier traveled to Colombia last year to undergo treatment for the post-traumatic stress he suffered from the war, something difficult to imagine in a country where violence is a daily occurrence.
From Colombia, he crossed into Venezuelan territory in November 2024, when he was captured by Venezuelan authorities while allegedly carrying out espionage activities. At the time of his arrest, St. Clair had taken photographs of national electricity towers and other utility facilities.
The veteran also had photographs of Venezuelan military installations and state entities located on the border with neighboring Colombia.
Then-Representative Diosdado Cabello declared at the time: “Another American citizen whom we had been following was captured, he was captured here in Caracas, (he was) taking photos of electrical installations, oil plants, and military units.”
The St. Clair Surrender
On Tuesday, the Venezuelan government, as part of the resumption of talks with the United States, handed over retired military officer Joseph St. Clair to Special Envoy Richard Grenell.
The transfer took place by mutual agreement on the island of Antigua, after which the official confirmed having received it and later said that he is already on US soil with his family.
Joe St. Clair is back in America.
- Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) May 20, 2025
I met Venezuelan officials in a neutral country today to negotiate an America First strategy.
This is only possible because @realDonaldTrump puts Americans first. @tsori233 pic.twitter.com/BItEnF9Ngg
St. Clair is one of the American mercenaries who have illegally crossed our borders to commit acts against the peace of the country and to seek the violent overthrow of the legitimate government.
Last February, Nicolás Maduro's government handed over six more detained Americans after a meeting with Richard Grenell in Caracas.
