Expand / Collapse search
☰

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove discusses 'Christmas Miracle' of freeing Eyvin Hernandez from Venezuelan custody

By FOX 11 Digital Team
Updated  December 23, 2023 4:34am PST
World
FOX 11

Eyvin Hernandez released from Venezuela

Los Angeles-based public defender Eyvin Hernandez was released from Venezuelan custody a little more than 1 2/3 years after he was detained at the Colombia-Venezuelan border.

LOS ANGELES - Loved ones of Eyvin Hernandez can breathe a sigh of relief as the Los Angeles-based public defender returned to United States after 21 months of Venezuelan custody.

A Congresswoman representing Los Angeles, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, called Hernandez's homecoming a "Christmas miracle." Rep. Kamlager-Dove told FOX 11 she spent her first year in office working to free Hernandez.

Hernandez was detained at the Colombia-Venezuelan border during his South American vacation. His capture and arrest drew year-long calls for justice and the release of the public defender. This week, Hernandez and nine other American prisoners were released in exchange for a a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Alex Saab.

In his first TV interview since returning home to the U.S. he pleaded for peace with Venezuela.

What's happening in Congress: Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove explains

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove joined FOX 11 to discuss the release of Eyvin Hernandez, the Israel–Hamas war and what is currently happening in Congress.

RELATED: US, Venezuela swap prisoners: Maduro ally for 10 Americans, plus fugitive contractor ‘Fat Leonard’

"I don't want anything to be done against them in my name. I don't. I want peace for economic relations," Hernandez said.

Rep. Kamlager-Dove agreed with Hernandez's plea.

"Military operations never succeed without diplomacy. Being able to bring Americans home does not happen without diplomacy," Rep. Kamlager-Dove said.