In a significant legal decision, a federal judge in Miami has ordered that three American citizens be awarded $314 million in damages. These individuals were detained and reportedly tortured under the regime of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The judgment comes after their release in a swap deal involving a key Maduro associate held in the United States.
The three Americans, Jerrel Kenemore, Jason Saad, and Edgar Marval, were released by the Maduro government in 2023. This release was part of a confidential exchange with the Biden administration for Alex Saab, a businessman accused by U.S. authorities of being a major financial operative for Maduro, who was awaiting trial on money laundering charges in the U.S. Read more about the exchange here.
Last year, the three men filed a lawsuit against several high-ranking Venezuelan officials, including acting President Delcy Rodríguez. They claimed to have endured severe physical and psychological abuse, such as electrocution and beatings, during their detention, which continues to affect them and their families. The International Criminal Court is also looking into similar allegations.
Judge Darrin P. Gayles ruled against Maduro, Saab, and five other defendants, citing their failure to respond to the lawsuit. The judgment also included the “Cartel of the Suns,” a suspected drug-trafficking ring involving senior military officials. Rodríguez was not part of this ruling as her legal representatives argued her immunity from U.S. civil lawsuits as a recognized head of state, a claim contested by the plaintiffs.
This case represents the largest compensation awarded to date among numerous lawsuits filed by Americans detained in Venezuela. The damages are being sought under the Anti-Terrorism Act, a federal statute that permits U.S. nationals victimized by foreign terrorist organizations to claim their assets. Learn more about the Act here.
Judge Gayles noted in his ruling that “the kidnappings” were among numerous offenses committed to perpetuate Maduro’s rule, which allowed the “Maduro Criminal Conspiracy to earn ill-gotten gains.”
Saab’s attorney, who is currently facing new charges in the U.S., chose not to comment. Representatives for Rodríguez also did not respond to requests for comments.
The three Americans were unaware that their arrival in Venezuela would result in accusations of espionage and being used as leverage in diplomatic negotiations with the U.S.
Jerrel Kenemore, a computer expert from Fort Worth, Texas, spent 643 days in custody. He was living in Colombia with a Venezuelan partner when he was kidnapped near the Colombian-Venezuelan border in 2022 by armed men and handed over to Venezuelan authorities. Read more about his abduction here.
Jason Saad, originally from Alabama, was working in construction in Venezuela at the time of his capture. Edgar Marval, who owned a business in Florida, was also conducting business in Venezuela. All three were detained by the Venezuelan military intelligence service.
The U.S. had previously classified the “Cartel of the Suns” as a foreign terrorist organization under the Trump administration, leading to a significant military operation in the Caribbean, which culminated in Maduro facing drug trafficking charges in New York. Further details about the cartel’s designation are available here.
While Maduro denies any misconduct, skepticism remains about whether the entrenched corruption within Venezuela’s military has resulted in a unified drug trafficking cartel akin to other Latin American syndicates. More on Maduro’s capture here.
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