2 US oil executives released from Venezuela prison to house arrest

Two American oil executives held in an overcrowded Venezuelan prison for almost three years have been placed in house arrest, a sign that the embattled government of Nicolas Maduro may be easing its stance toward the detainees.

Posted 2:11 a.m. Jul 31, 2020 — Updated 2:11 a.m. Jul 31, 2020

Vivian Salama

CNN — Two American oil executives held in an overcrowded Venezuelan prison for almost three years have been placed in house arrest, a sign that the embattled government of Nicolas Maduro may be easing its stance toward the detainees.

Gustavo Cárdenas and Jorge Toledo were released on house arrest on Thursday evening, days after a humanitarian visit to Caracas by former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and a team of nongovernment negotiators.

A person involved in the negotiations called it a "positive first step" and thanked Maduro for the gesture, while also calling for the release of all six Americans detained.

This is a breaking story and will be updated.

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