I was in 'learn' mode where I wouldn't really watch the games to watch the games - I wanted to learn if we had capable backup cornerbacks for the 20 seasons. There was no dread the past few years because the team had very little chance of winning. Mostly because this season means something. Normally this tweet fills me with anticipation each year. Just saw a tweet come across saying '100 days until Illini football'. I think I'll just do a slapdash post to rid my brain of the things its thinking about. My record (for fewest posts during this month where I unplug my brain from Illini athletics as best I can) is 11 I think. considers illegitimate and has indicted on narco-terrorism charges.I think this is post number nine in May. However, some longtime Venezuela watchers say they’re hopeful this time will be different.Ī visit to Caracas in March by Juan Gonzalez, the top National Security Council adviser on Latin America, was itself a remarkable gesture toward a leader whom the U.S. “Empire,” recalling the Trump administration’s decision to impose sanctions on a Venezuelan governor who brokered the release of another American, Joshua Holt, in 2018. Meanwhile, many Maduro supporters remain distrustful of the U.S.

in the last six months has struck similar deals with Russia, and more recently with the Taliban, a senior Biden administration official downplayed any suggestion that it was caving to hostage-takers, saying such exchanges remain “extraordinarily rare.” The official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the administration, also pointed to an executive order from this summe r that sought to impose new costs on countries that jail Americans without cause. “To all the families who are still suffering and separated from their loved ones who are wrongfully detained - know that we remain dedicated to securing their release,” Biden said in his statement.Īlthough the U.S.

has so far tried unsuccessfully to secure the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner and another American, Paul Whelan, Venezuela has been holding the largest contingent of Americans suspected of being used as bargaining chips.Īt least four other Americans remain detained in Venezuela, including two former Green Berets - Luke Denman and Airan Berry - involved in a slapdash attempt to oust Maduro in 2019, and two other men - Eyvin Hernandez and Jerrel Kenemore - who, like Khan, were detained for allegedly entering the country illegally from neighboring Colombia. While much of the focus is on Russia, where the U.S. The Biden administration has been under pressure to do more to bring home the roughly 60 Americans it believes are held hostage abroad or wrongfully detained by hostile foreign governments. Referring to the men only as Venezuelans “unjustly imprisoned” in the U.S., the Maduro government in a statement said it “welcomes the outcome of these talks and hopes for the preservation of peace and harmony with all the nations of our region and the world.” “I can’t believe it,” Cristina Vadell, the daughter of Tomeu Vadell, one of the freed Americans, told The Associated Press on Saturday.

While the White House denied any change in policy toward Venezuela is afoot, the freeing of Americans could create political space for the Biden administration to ease crippling oil sanctions on Venezuela if Maduro shows progress in on-again, off-again talks with his opponents. after vanquishing most of his domestic opponents. The deal amounts to an unusual gesture of goodwill by Maduro as the socialist leader looks to rebuild relations with the U.S. officials - secretive talks with a major oil producer that took on greater urgency after sanctions on Russia put pressure on global energy prices. The swap of the Americans, including five oil executives held for nearly five years, follows months of back channel diplomacy by senior U.S. WASHINGTON (AP) - In a rare softening of hostile relations, Venezuela freed on Saturday seven imprisoned Americans in exchange for the United States releasing two nephews of President Nicolás Maduro’s wife who had been jailed for years on narcotics convictions.

Slapdash news at five