French national Camilo Castro released from Venezuelan detention after three months, with Macron thanking those involved in securing his freedom
PARIS: President Emmanuel Macron has announced the release of a French citizen detained in Venezuela since June.
“Camilo Castro is free. I share the relief of his family and thank everyone who worked for his release,” Macron wrote on social media platform X.
The 41-year-old yoga teacher disappeared on June 26 at the Paraguachon border crossing between Venezuela and Colombia.
Castro had traveled to renew his expired Colombian residency visa, according to his family.
His mother reported in September that she had only received one voice message from him in late July where he “called for help”.
Research by his family and Amnesty International indicated he was being held by Venezuelan authorities.
Amnesty has denounced what it called a policy of “enforced disappearances” targeting opponents and foreign nationals.
The organization claims this practice began after President Nicolas Maduro was declared winner of July’s disputed election.
“The Venezuelan authorities appear to be using this practice to justify their narratives about ‘foreign conspiracies’ and as a bargaining chip for use in negotiations with other countries,” Amnesty stated in a July report. – AFP
