WASHINGTON – The Foley Foundation rejoices at the release today of ten U.S. nationals held hostage by the Maduro regime in Venezuela, including:
- Wilbert Castaneda – wrongfully detained for 325 days
- Jorge Marcelo Vargas – wrongfully detained for 304 days
- Renzo Castillo – wrongfully detained for 299 days
- Lucas Hunter – wrongfully detained for 192 days
The foundation supported the families of these captives as they advocated for their loved ones’ freedom by providing operational and strategic support to the Bring Our Families Home Campaign. The campaign is a family-led initiative to raise awareness among the American public of specific cases of wrongful detention and to mobilize action that leads to the release of those held in captivity.
Foley Foundation President and Founder Diane Foley said, “We applaud the unprecedented pace set by the Trump administration in securing the release of Americans wrongfully detained around the world. Today’s release of ten U.S. nationals held captive by the Maduro regime extends that record of success.”
Today’s releases were made possible because of the advocacy of these captives’ families, and the political will and resolve of the administration, particularly President Donald Trump; Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio; Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler; and Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Richard Grenell.
ABOUT THE JAMES W. FOLEY LEGACY FOUNDATION
Conflict journalist James W. Foley was taken hostage by ISIS terrorists in 2012 while covering the Syrian civil war. His captors tortured and ultimately brutally murdered him in 2014. The Foley Foundation was established within weeks of his death. The mission of the foundation – inspired by the moral courage of James Foley – is to advocate for American hostages and wrongful detainees held abroad and promote journalist safety.
For more information or to learn how you can make an impact, please visit jamesfoleyfoundation.org or contact us here. Charitable donations to support the foundation’s work may be made here.
