Padilla Statement after Meeting with National Security Council regarding U.S.-Venezuela Negotiations and Eyvin Hernandez Detainment
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) issued the following statement after meeting with senior members of President Biden’s National Security Council to discuss the recent U.S.-Venezuela sanctions deal and to advocate for the release of Eyvin Hernandez, an American citizen who has been wrongfully detained in Venezuela since March 31, 2022.
“Today, I met with senior National Security Council staff to discuss the recent U.S.-Venezuela sanctions deal. As I made clear during the meeting, any deal with Venezuela must involve a clear path forward to freeing Eyvin Hernandez and other wrongfully detained U.S. citizens. A public defender in Los Angeles County, Eyvin has been wrongfully detained by Venezuela for more than a year. Eyvin has dedicated his life to helping those in need in his community and beyond, and we owe it to Eyvin to do everything in our power to bring him home to his loved ones.”
Earlier this year, Senator Padilla and the late Senator Dianne Feinstein introduced a resolution calling for the immediate release of Eyvin Hernandez. Padilla also sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging him to do everything within the Department of State’s power to secure the release of Eyvin Hernandez from Venezuela, including issuing the wrongfully detained determination so that his case could be referred to the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA).
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