Who is the former Marine Handed Over by Venezuela to the U.S.?
Joe St. Clair (L) on a plane bound for the United States. May 2025. x/ @RichardGrenell
May 21, 2025 Hour: 11:55 am
Joe St. Clair’s release took place occurred amid ongoing negotiations between Venezuela and the United States.
On Tuesday, Venezuelan authorities released Joe St. Clair, a former U.S. Marine who was captured in November 2024 while engaging in activities suspected of terrorism.
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His release occurred amid ongoing negotiations between the governments of Venezuela and the United States in Antigua and Barbuda. As a result of the negotiations, Richard Grenell, special envoy of U.S. President Donald Trump, returned from Antigua with the U.S. Air Force veteran.
St. Clair had taken part in covert operations in Afghanistan on four occasions. He also participated in similar missions in Latin American countries, where he was involved in alleged “food aid activities.”
According to the war veteran’s family, St. Clair traveled to Colombia in 2024 to undergo treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from his combat experience. From Colombia, he entered Venezuelan territory in November 2024, when he was arrested on suspicion of espionage.
At the time of his arrest, St. Clair had taken photographs of power towers and facilities belonging to the Venezuelan national electric grid. He also possessed images of Venezuelan military installations and government facilities located in the border region with Colombia.
“Another American citizen we had been tracking was captured. He was arrested here in Caracas. He had been taking photos of electrical, oil, and military facilities,” then-lawmaker Diosdado Cabello said.
St. Clair was handed over by mutual agreement on the island of Antigua, after which Trump’s special envoy, Richard Grenell, confirmed receiving him and later stated that St. Clair is now back on U.S. soil with his family.
St. Clair is one of several American mercenaries who have illegally crossed into Venezuela to carry out actions against the country’s peace and to attempt the violent ousting of the current government.
The former serviceman’s release represents a breakthrough in bilateral talks, which primarily focus on two critical issues: the repatriation flights of Venezuelan citizens from the United States and the status of U.S. citizens detained in Venezuela. In February, the administration of President Nicolas Maduro released six other detained Americans following a meeting with Grenell in Caracas.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: Ultimas Noticias – Richard Grenell