Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


US Urges Venezuela to Release US Citizen After Prison Riot

by Reuters

   WASHINGTON --

   The United States is worried about the safety of U.S. citizens held in
   Venezuela after a riot at a prison there on Wednesday and has appealed
   again for the release of Mormon missionary Joshua Holt, the State
   Department said on Thursday.

   '

   "We continue to have serious concerns about the safety and welfare of
   U.S. citizens who are being held there," said State Department
   spokeswoman Heather Nauert. "The Venezuelan government is responsible
   for the safety of all detainees in its prison system, including U.S.
   citizens in detention."

   She said a senior State Department official had spoken to a top
   Venezuelan diplomat to seek the release of Holt on humanitarian
   grounds. Holt had posted information on Facebook about the riots.