Amid the downward spiraling chaos in Venezuela, members of Congress reiterated their call for the release and return of a Utah man locked up in a Caracas prison after one year.
Republican Utah Rep. Mia Love sent a letter to President Donald Trump Friday asking him to “vigorously pursue” the “safe, unconditional, and swift release” of Joshua Holt.
The was also letter signed by fellow Republican Utah Reps. Rob Bishop and Chris Stewart, as well as Florida Republican Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Carlos Curbelo.
“This has gone on too long,” Love said. “The toll this has taken on the community and especially on Josh and the Holt family is immense. As a mother, I can’t comprehend the pain and anxiety that Josh’s exceptional parents experience daily. I assure them that I will not rest until they can rest easy.”
Republican Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch called on Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro Friday to release the couple and that U.S. Sec. of State Rex Tillerson to take action on the case.
“From the time of his arrest last June, I’ve enlisted help from every level of government, and I’m confident our diplomatic efforts will pay off in time. I remain in regular communication about Josh’s case with Secretary of State Tillerson, Undersecretary Shannon—who I met with just this week—and officials at every level of government here and in Venezuela.”
The former Mormon missionary and Utah native Joshua Holt traveled to Venezuela in June 2016 as on a trip to meet a fellow Mormon woman, Thamara Caleño, whom he fell in love with and planned to marry.
However, days after the marriage and honeymoon, Venezuelan law enforcement raided the family home while they waited for the U.S. Embassy to confirm an appointment to get visas to enter the U.S.
According to The Miami Herald, police recovered an “imitation” M-15 rifle and a hand grenade after witnesses saw 30 masked security officers run into the couple’s dwelling with black bags, as Caleño was distracted by others questioning her.
A witness told The Herald that an officer popped out from the apartment with a black bag announcing he found a cache weapons.
“The only reason they have him is because he’s a gringo,” a female witness said. “I don’t care what color his eyes are, what color his hair is, where his passport says he’s from — he’s innocent and his human rights are being violated.”
Both Holt and Caleño face charges of espionage and terrorism. Holt is the 12th known American to be locked up in a Venezuelan detention center. Indiana resident Todd Leininger was arrested in April 2014 along with his Venezuelan wife. His wife was released eight months later.
Although Leininger remains locked up, the court dismissed charges against him of terrorism and being in possession of “weapons of war.” However, he still faces an attempted homicide charge.
