Venezuela frees Alberto Trentini and Mario Burlò.
The long-awaited announcement from Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani came this morning around 5:00 a.m.
"Our two compatriots are in good condition," the deputy prime minister wrote. " They will soon return to Italy. Their release is a strong signal from interim president Delcy Rodriguez, whom the Italian government greatly appreciates." "This is a great achievement by our diplomacy, a success for the government, which has been able to communicate and grasp the change that has taken place in Venezuela," he added to RaiNews24.
The Venetian aid worker and the Turin accountant, both arrested in November 2024 and held in Rodeo 1 prison—the most dangerous in the country, according to a complaint by opposition leader María Corina Machado—are now being held at the Italian Embassy in Caracas. They will return to Italy between this evening and tomorrow.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also contacted them: «On behalf of the Italian government, I would like to express heartfelt thanks to the authorities in Caracas, starting with President Rodriguez, for the constructive collaboration demonstrated in recent days and to all the institutions and people in Italy who have worked with commitment and discretion to achieve this important result ».
" It was all so sudden. Unexpected. We knew nothing about Maduro's capture. I'm happy, I thank Italy. Now can I have a cigarette?" These were Alberto Trentini's first words after his release, reported by the websites of Repubblica and Corriere della Sera. "They treated us well, they didn't torture us," he and Mario Burlò assured, as soon as they stepped out of the car that took them to the Italian embassy. "During the last transfer, we weren't hooded, unlike other times," Trentini said, and "even the food was sufficient." At the embassy, the two were immediately able to call their families in Italy. Trentini called his mother and girlfriend.
In Venice, the Trentini family exploded with joy, having also been contacted by President Sergio Mattarella. "Alberto is finally free! This is the news we've been waiting for 423 days! We thank everyone who made his release possible, even working invisibly. All these months of captivity have left wounds in Alberto and in those of us who love him that will be difficult to heal. Now we will need some time alone to heal. We thank everyone for their support, but we ask you to respect our silence and our privacy. There will be time to find the right words to share the facts and establish accountability. Today, we only want peace. Thank you!"
Then, late in the morning, Armanda Colusso, Alberto Trentini's mother, left her house and got into a car waiting for her outside the front door, filled with friends and others carrying bouquets of flowers.
(Unioneonline/D)