Venezuela Releases 10 Detained Americans in Exchange for Maduro Ally Transcript

We begin tonight with new details about a major prisoner swap between the US and Venezuela. 10 Americans, including several the US considered wrongfully detained, were released from that South American country today in exchange for a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a leader who, himself, is under a US indictment for narco-trafficking. As part of the deal, an American fugitive known as Fat Leonard, who fled the country before being sentenced for his role in a bribery and corruption case will be sent back to the US to face justice. The deal is one step in President Biden's latest efforts to improve relations with Maduro's Venezuela after offering sanctions relief this fall. That country is the source of the largest migrant crisis in the Western Hemisphere, directly impacting the US border. CBS's Ed O'Keefe leads us off at the White House. Good evening, Ed.

Margaret, last year, the Biden Administration sent a convicted murderer back to Russia in exchange for WNBA star Brittney Griner. This time it was someone accused of money laundering, but 10 Americans are now home and a big fugitive is back in custody. President Biden tonight heralding a deal that caps seven months of talks to get back detained Americans.

We have no higher priority than the release of the detained and/or Americans being held hostage.

Among the released, Eyvin Hernandez, a public defender from Los Angeles who'd been detained since March 2022. Before his release, Hernandez sent a letter to the President asking for help, and recorded this audio message obtained exclusively by CBS News.

There is nothing I want more than my own liberty and the liberty of my fellow brothers and sisters who are currently being held in captivity with me.

Also coming back to the US, Leonard Francis, widely known as Fat Leonard, who'd been awaiting sentencing for overseeing one of the most brazen bribery conspiracies in the US Navy's history before escaping last year. A former military contractor, he pleaded guilty to bribing Navy officers in exchange for classified information and for overcharging the military by millions. In exchange, the US sent back, Alex Saab, someone close to Maduro, accused by US prosecutors of money laundering on behalf of Maduro's government. The president defended that move tonight.

Why is it okay for the US to be negotiating with the Maduro government and sending back people in Justice Department's custody?

It's okay because we've freed American people who were held illegally, and I've made a deal with Venezuela with their hold free elections. So far, they've maintained their requirements.

In Venezuela, maduro embraced Saab and claimed his friend had been physically and psychologically tortured. US officials tonight denied Maduro's claims of torture. The deal drew bipartisan condemnation out of concern, it'll embolden Maduro. But families of the released Americans thanked the Biden administration. The mother of one detainee called the officials who negotiated the swap "rock stars." Margaret?

They reunited before Christmas. Thank you, Ed.