American Air Force veteran Joseph St. Clair returns home after being wrongfully detained in Venezuela since November, thanks to diplomatic efforts by the Trump administration.
At a Glance
- Joseph St. Clair, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served four tours in Afghanistan, was released from wrongful detention in Venezuela
- St. Clair went missing in November while seeking PTSD treatment in Colombia near the Venezuelan border
- The Trump administration, including Ambassador Ric Grenell, Adam Boehler, and Sebastian Gorka, secured his release
- St. Clair is the seventh American freed from Venezuelan detention this year
- The Trump administration has secured the release of at least 37 Americans from hostage situations in six countries
Veteran’s Freedom Secured
Former U.S. Air Force Tech Sergeant Joseph St. Clair has been freed from Venezuelan detention after a successful diplomatic operation by the Trump administration. St. Clair, who disappeared in November 2024 while seeking treatment for PTSD near the Colombian-Venezuelan border, had been held by Nicolás Maduro’s regime. The State Department officially designated him as “wrongfully detained” in March after his father was informed by the Colombian consulate in February that his son was being held by Venezuelan authorities.
Scott and Patti St. Clair, Joseph’s parents, announced their son’s release while expressing gratitude to President Trump and his administration. Key figures involved in securing St. Clair’s freedom included Ambassador Ric Grenell, Adam Boehler, and Sebastian Gorka. The family has declined to provide further details about the circumstances of his release, requesting privacy as they process the news and reunite with their son.
A Pattern of Successful Hostage Negotiations
St. Clair becomes the seventh American released from Venezuelan custody this year alone, following six others freed on January 31, 2025. The veteran served in the military from 2010 to 2019 as a linguist and completed four tours in Afghanistan, where he developed PTSD. He was among nine Americans held at a federal prison near Caracas when David Guillaume, a Florida nurse who was among those released in January, informed the State Department about St. Clair’s detention.
Venezuelan authorities have established a pattern of detaining American citizens to gain political and economic concessions from the United States. Since President Trump took office, his administration has successfully secured the release of at least 37 Americans who were held hostage or wrongfully detained across six different countries. This record demonstrates the administration’s commitment to bringing Americans home from foreign captivity.
Solidarity With Other Detained Americans
While celebrating their son’s return, the St. Clair family expressed continued support for others still detained abroad. “We remain in prayer and solidarity with the families of those who are still being held. We will never stop loving and supporting them as they continue their fight to be reunited with their loved ones,” Scott and Patti St. Clair stated in their announcement.
The James W. Foley Foundation, which advocates for families of wrongfully detained Americans, continues to support those with loved ones still in captivity. The St. Clair family had previously joined other families in calling on President Trump and lawmakers to secure the release of all detained Americans. The State Department maintains that securing the freedom of Americans held overseas remains a top priority.
