US releases ally of Venezuelan president in swap for jailed Americans

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro (Ariana Cubillos/AP)

The US freed a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in exchange for the release of 10 Americans imprisoned in the South American country and the extradition of a fugitive defence contractor known as “Fat Leonard” who is at the centre of a massive Pentagon bribery scandal, officials said on Wednesday.

The deal represents the US government’s boldest bid to improve relations with the major oil-producing nation and extract concessions from the self-proclaimed socialist leader.