The executives were arrested on November 21, 2017, and accused of signing an agreement that was "unfavorable" for the Venezuelan subsidiary. The executives denied the charges against them and stated that they were victims of a political move by the Venezuelan
Maduro-led government to pressure the United States government. They were granted
house arrest in December 2019, but were sent back to jail on the same day that President
Donald Trump received
Juan Guaidó (Maduro's opponent in the
Venezuelan presidential crisis) at the
White House. On April 30, 2021, they were issued a measure of house arrest, but were transferred to
El Helicoide after the extradition of Maduro-linked Colombian businessman
Alex Saab in 2021, who was facing federal money laundering charges in the United States. The US government demanded the immediate release of the executives. On March 9, 2022, one of the Citgo Six was released following a meeting between US officials, including US Ambassador to Venezuela
James B. Story, and Venezuelan President
Nicolás Maduro. The families of the five remaining executives were a part of the
Bring Our Families Home campaign which advocates for bringing home wrongful detainees and hostages. Their images are featured in a 15-foot mural in Georgetown (Washington, D.C.) along with those of other Americans wrongfully detained abroad. On October 1, 2022, the remaining five members of the Citgo Six were released following a
prisoner exchange. On December 27, 2023, the Citgo Six were honored by
Sylvester Turner for being exemplary members of the business community. Mayor Turner also proclaimed that December 19 in the city of Houston will be celebrated as “The Citgo Six Day.” == See also ==