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Utahn Josh Holt Lands In U.S. After Release From Venezuelan Prison

Screenshot/Josh Holt Facebook
Holt made a plea from prison to the American government via Facebook video a few weeks ago.

Josh Holt landed in the United States on Saturday afternoon after nearly two years behind bars in Venezuela. Holt was arrested on illegal weapon charges and his release is the result of nearly nonstop diplomatic efforts.

Holt, 26, of Riverton, traveled to Venezuela two years ago to get married to his now wife Thamy Caleno. Holt is a former missionary for the Mormon church and learned Spanish during his two years of service. He met his future wife online as he was looking for people to help improve his Spanish.

The newlyweds were arrested shortly after their summer wedding in 2016 for a weapons charge that they, and Holt's family in Utah, have repetedly denied.

Earlier this month, Holt made a plea via Facebook video during a riot at his Caracas prison.

On Friday, Tennessee Senator Bob Corker met with Venezuela’s president and arranged a release for Holt and his wife. This was the result of repeated attempts of negotiation primarily led by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

Both Hatch and Corker joined the Holt family for its reunion.

President Donald Trump tweeted Saturday morning that he is looking forward to seeing Holt and his family in the White House.

Lee Hale began listening to KUER while he was teaching English at a Middle School in West Jordan (his one hour commute made for plenty of listening time). Inspired by what he heard he applied for the Kroc Fellowship at NPR headquarters in DC and to his surprise, he got it. Since then he has reported on topics ranging from TSA PreCheck to micro apartments in overcrowded cities to the various ways zoo animals stay cool in the summer heat. But, his primary focus has always been education and he returns to Utah to cover the same schools he was teaching in not long ago. Lee is a graduate of Brigham Young University and is also fascinated with the way religion intersects with the culture and communities of the Beehive State. He hopes to tell stories that accurately reflect the beliefs that Utahns hold dear.
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