James Story, United States ambassador to Venezuela, recalled that this Monday, May 9, marks four years and six months since the arrest of the six former directors of Citgo, one of whom was recently released.
“Citgo executives continue to be unjustly detained in Venezuela. They are four years and six months old today, since November 2017. These men and their families have suffered enough. The United States remains committed to bringing them home and reuniting them with their families again,” Story said. Twitter.
Health of Jose Pereira
Earlier, relatives of the former director of Citgo José Pereira, detained in El Helicoide, denounced that his state of health is delicate, since he was diagnosed with degenerative arthritis in his back.
“Jose has been complaining of severe back pain. The Sebin took him to a doctor to receive treatment and after an X-ray the diagnosis: degenerative osteoarthritis in the back,” Pereira’s relatives denounced on Twitter.
And they added that at the Sebin headquarters he is receiving an increased dose of analgesics to calm the pain, but they claimed that he should be released to travel to the United States and undergo surgery.
“Our family calls for the immediate return of our father and all Americans held in Venezuela. Their health is at stake with every day they spend in El Helicoide,” Pereira’s relatives said.
Former Citgo executives
Similarly, they called on the United States government to expedite his release, as well as that of other former Citgo executives who are still detained in Caracas. They specifically exhorted the president of the United States, Joe Biden; Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Security Jake Sullivan.
On March 8, the government of Nicolás Maduro released former Citgo manager Gustavo Cárdenas from prison. This after a meeting with senior US officials who traveled to Caracas.
CITGO executives continue to be unjustly detained in Venezuela. Today marks four years and six months since November 2017. These men and their families have suffered enough. The US remains committed to bringing them home and reuniting them with their families again. pic.twitter.com/765o8HxYcX
— Embajador James “Jimmy” Story (@usembassyve) May 9, 2022