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Schatz, Cruz Lead Group Of 18 Senators In Urging Secretary Rubio To Bring Home Americans Wrongfully Detained In Venezuela

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) led a group of 18 senators in urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to continue efforts to bring home Americans who are currently wrongfully detained in Venezuela. In May, the State Department announced that Venezuela is currently unjustly jailing more Americans than any other country in the world. The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Jim Risch (R-Idaho).

“Today, at least eight Americans remain wrongfully detained in Venezuela, denied their freedom, separated from their loved ones, and unable to continue their lives. Their imprisonment is an ongoing injustice that necessitates immediate and decisive action by the U.S. government,” the senators wrote.

The senators continued, “Nicolás Maduro continues to target, seize, and jail Americans without cause. It is essential that the U.S. government use all tools available to expeditiously secure the return of Americans detained and imprisoned unjustly in Venezuela.”

The full text of the letter is below and available here.

Secretary Rubio,

We commend the Department of State for securing the January 31, 2025 release of six Americans who had been wrongfully detained in Venezuela, as well as the May 20 release of one additional wrongful detainee. Their return is a positive and important step. We write to express our continuing support for your efforts to bring all Americans home from Venezuela.

Today, at least eight Americans remain wrongfully detained in Venezuela, denied their freedom, separated from their loved ones, and unable to continue their lives. Their imprisonment is an ongoing injustice that necessitates immediate and decisive action by the U.S. government.

Nicolás Maduro continues to target, seize, and jail Americans without cause. It is essential that the U.S. government use all tools available to expeditiously secure the return of Americans detained and imprisoned unjustly in Venezuela.

Each day that passes prolongs the suffering of Americans wrongfully detained in Venezuela and their families. The American people are counting on the full weight of the U.S. government being brought to bear in regards to this issue.

We stand ready to work with you to ensure that every American wrongfully detained in Venezuela is returned home without further delay.

Sincerely,

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