Venezuela released Italian citizens Alberto Trentini and Burlò, an Italian humanitarian worker and a real estate businessman, respectively, on Monday (12).
They were taken to Italian Embassy in Caracas and are expected to return to the European country within the next few hours. Trentini remained in detention for 423 days.
In a statement released by lawyer Alessandra Ballerini, the family celebrated the outcome. "Alberto is finally free! We've been waiting for this news for 423 days!", the relatives stated. The group emphasized that the period left wounds that are difficult to heal and requested privacy.
“We thank everyone for being close to us, but we ask that you respect our silence and confidentiality. There will be time for us to find the right words to tell what happened and to determine responsibility. Today, we only want peace. Thank you!” declared Trentini's family.
The President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, called Trentini's mother to share his joy at his release. Lawyer Maurizio Basile reported that businessman Burlò has already spoken with his daughter, Gianna. According to Basile, he is "a person of extraordinary strength and vitality" and is doing well.
Deputy Fabio Porta (PD) also commented on the release. According to the parliamentarian, the period was an "absurd and unjust imprisonment." Porta thanked the diplomats and mediators for their work and recognized the gesture of the new Venezuelan government as a sign of democratic transition.
However, the parliamentarian warned of the ongoing political crisis in the neighboring country. According to Porta, there are other detainees with Italian citizenship in the region, and... "24 of them are still in prison for political reasons"He argues that the case should bring the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela back to the forefront of Italian attention.
