Italy announced early Monday that two of its citizens detained for over a year in Venezuela have been freed. The aid worker, and businessman are now en route home after a prolonged diplomatic effort.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that aid worker Alberto Trentini and businessman Mario Burlò were released by Venezuelan authorities in the early hours of 12 January. They were taken to the Italian embassy in Caracas, where they are awaiting departure. Both are reported to be in good physical condition.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed “joy and satisfaction” at their release, thanking interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez for her cooperation. Meloni also noted that a government aircraft has already departed from Rome to bring the pair home.
A release amid wider political shift
The announcement comes amid a wider wave of prisoner releases by Venezuelan authorities. Around 20 political prisoners, including several foreign nationals, were reportedly freed in the early hours of Monday following diplomatic pressure from Italy and other Western nations. The release follows the United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month.
Trentini and Burlò were held at El Rodeo I maximum-security prison in Caracas. Trentini, a Venetian national working with the humanitarian NGO Humanity & Inclusion, was arrested in the state of Apure in November 2024 without formal charges. Burlò, an accountant and businessman from Turin, was detained at the same time during a visit to explore business opportunities. His detainment was also without clear legal justification.
First reactions from Trentini
Speaking after his release, Trentini said he had not expected to be freed. He said the prisoners were unaware of major political developments in Venezuela during his detention, including Maduro’s ouster. Reflecting on his time in custody, he said he and Burlò had been treated well and had not been tortured.
His first request upon release was light-hearted: “Can I have a cigarette now?” according to Italian media reports.
Meloni’s office emphasised that the government maintained constant efforts to secure the release of its citizens. It thanked Venezuelan authorities for “constructive collaboration” that made the outcome possible. Trentini’s family welcomed the news after 423 days of detention, saying the ordeal had been deeply painful and expressing the need for time and privacy as they begin to recover from the experience.
Italy has in recent days secured the release of other Italian nationals. These included journalist Biagio Pilieri, held for around 16 months, and 77-year-old businessman Luigi Gasperin.
