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U.S. Diplomat in Venezuela Raises Concern About Detained American U.S. Diplomat in Venezuela Raises Concern About Detained American
(about 5 hours later)
CARACAS, Venezuela — The top United States diplomat in Venezuela urged the authorities there on Friday to ensure transparency in the case of a jailed American whose trial has become another sore spot in relations between the two nations.CARACAS, Venezuela — The top United States diplomat in Venezuela urged the authorities there on Friday to ensure transparency in the case of a jailed American whose trial has become another sore spot in relations between the two nations.
The diplomat, Todd D. Robinson, said that he reminded Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza in a recent meeting of his “responsibility to guarantee transparency” in the case of the detained American, Joshua Holt.The diplomat, Todd D. Robinson, said that he reminded Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza in a recent meeting of his “responsibility to guarantee transparency” in the case of the detained American, Joshua Holt.
Mr. Robinson, the newly appointed chargé d’affaires, also pressed for United States consular access to Mr. Holt, a 25-year-old Utah man whose mother recently voiced concerns about his health. The head of the United States Embassy in Venezuela before Mr. Robinson’s arrival had been denied access to a preliminary hearing in December. Mr. Robinson also pressed for United States consular access to Mr. Holt, a 25-year-old Utah man whose mother recently voiced concerns about his health. The head of the United States Embassy in Venezuela before Mr. Robinson’s arrival had been denied access to a hearing in December.
“Without the ability to talk with him it’s difficult to know exactly what is happening,” Mr. Robinson said.“Without the ability to talk with him it’s difficult to know exactly what is happening,” Mr. Robinson said.
Mr. Holt traveled to Venezuela in 2016 to marry a fellow Mormon he had met online.Mr. Holt traveled to Venezuela in 2016 to marry a fellow Mormon he had met online.
Mr. Holt and his wife were arrested at her family’s apartment in a Caracas public housing complex by police officers who accused him of stockpiling weapons. They were both jailed, and a judge ruled in December that Mr. Holt would have to stand trial on weapons charges.Mr. Holt and his wife were arrested at her family’s apartment in a Caracas public housing complex by police officers who accused him of stockpiling weapons. They were both jailed, and a judge ruled in December that Mr. Holt would have to stand trial on weapons charges.
Mr. Holt’s mother, Laura Holt, urged Venezuela to release her son. “Let’s stopping using Josh as this political pawn,” Ms. Holt said.Mr. Holt’s mother, Laura Holt, urged Venezuela to release her son. “Let’s stopping using Josh as this political pawn,” Ms. Holt said.