HANSVILLE—Washington resident and decorated Air Force Veteran Joseph St Clair, 33, was released from a prison in Venezuela today where he had been wrongfully detained since last November.
St. Clair was traveling around South America for work when he was kidnapped and imprisoned last November along with nine other American citizens. According to the U.S. State Department the prison that St. Clair was incarcerated in is a well-known political prison where American citizens have traditionally been kidnapped and held against their will for political leverage.
St. Clair’s parents, Scott and Patti, told reporters last month that they were especially concerned about their son’s imprisonment since he suffers from PTSD, a result from years serving in active combat in Afghanistan.
On Tuesday, May 20, St. Clair was released to the U.S. Special Envoy for Special Missions, Richard Grenell, after months of negotiations.
St. Clair’s parents expressed their heartfelt gratitude to President Donald J Trump, Ambassador Ric Grenell, Adam Boehler, Dr. Sebastian Gorka, their consultant Jon Franks, and the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA) team for their leadership, commitment, and care in helping bring their son home.
“This news came suddenly, and we are still processing it—but we are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude,” St. Clair’s parents released in a statement on social media Tuesday. “We remain in prayer and solidarity with the families of those who are still being held. We will never stop loving and supporting them as they continue their fight to be reunited with their loved ones.”
On May 2, Washington congressional leaders, Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, called upon President Trump to help release St. Clair via letter and met with St. Clair’s parents.
“[St. Clair] is a decorated U.S Air Force veteran who served four tours in Afghanistan and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Each day he is held, it prolongs his suffering, and the suffering of his friends and family,” the Senators write. “We must have decisive action by the U.S. Government to secure his release along with other Americans being wrongfully detained by Venezuela,” the Senators jointly stated.
Their letter, in its entirety, read:
Mr. President:
We are writing to urge your personal involvement in pressing for the release of Joseph St. Clair, who is being wrongfully detained in Venezuela. He is a decorated U.S Air Force veteran who served four tours in Afghanistan and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Each day he is held, it prolongs his suffering, and the suffering of his friends and family.
We must have decisive action by the U.S. Government to secure his release along with other Americans being wrongfully detained by Venezuela.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sen. Cantwell announced her excitement for St. Clair’s release Tuesday stating:
“I’m thrilled Joe has been released and will be reunited with his family. His parents were relentless advocates for their son. I thank the Trump administration for working to secure his release,” said Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
A State Department official said the U.S. Government is continuing to call for the release of the other nine American citizens, who are still believed to be detained, and others similar wrongfully imprisoned throughout the world.
According to the Bring Our Families Home organization, a certified 501(c)(3) comprised of family members with relatives being held overseas, there are currently 11 American citizens currently being held hostage in over five countries around the world. Lengths of detention range from one year to 17 years, it continued. The organization has helped free 15 American citizens from wrongful detainment since its launch in 2022.
St. Clair is being returned to his family in Hansville, Washington. His family is asking for privacy during their time of reuniting.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
