Apparently, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro listened to what Richard Grenell had to say. Six Americans are free and flying home with our special agent. In a post to report mission accomplished, Grenell added “a photo of the six on board his plane.” They had already “spoken by phone to President Trump to thank him.”
Maduro quickly cooperated
Whatever it was that Special Envoy Richard Grenell said to Nicolás Maduro privately in Caracas got his full attention. Ahead of time, U.S. media focused on the part of his trip meant to iron out our disagreements over Venezuelan deportees.
We only got word of the prisoners from a small outlet in South America. Suddenly, the MSM is acting like they were on top of the story all along.
“Earlier,” BBC reports but U.S. media didn’t, “the White House had called on Venezuela to release ‘U.S. hostages‘ – as well as agreeing to receive Venezuelan criminals deported by the U.S. – or face consequences.”
The six men Maduro turned loose weren’t named officially in any of the latest reports but the public knows from earlier news that they’re a group of mercenaries. One is a current or former Navy SEAL.
The light blue outfits were thoughtfully provided by the Venezuelan prison system. “We are wheels up and headed home with these 6 American citizens,” Grenell posted.
“They just spoke to @realDonaldTrump and they couldn’t stop thanking him.” Maduro caved in so fast all the other Latin American leaders are wondering what Grenell’s message had to say.

Discussions were ‘respectful’
President Trump quickly congratulated Grenell on his job well done. Separately, he posted that his special envoy was bringing “six hostages home from Venezuela.” State media in the South American country reported “the discussions with President Trump’s envoy had been respectful.” Grenell is an accomplished diplomat.
During Trump’s first term, he was assigned to keeping Angela Merkel toeing the line. Maduro was easy to control. All Ric had to do was remind him that he has a price on his head. That, and Trump could pull Chevron right out of his country.
In early January, “Caracas announced the capture of a group of ‘mercenaries‘ who included U.S. citizens.” South America is full of guys who read Soldier of Fortune magazine and make a living playing the game of Latin politics, for a fee.

These reportedly got in a little over their head when their employer hit a snag. If they had been successful in what they were up to, there’s a chance that Maduro wouldn’t have been sworn in for a third term last month.
The “official results of the July 2024 election have been widely rejected by the international community, including the U.S.” We know how that can happen, especially when the voting equipment of certain companies are used.
“Grenell’s visit did not mean U.S. recognition of Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate leader,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted for the record. There’s still a price on his head.