Pendulum...

 

 President Biden’s administration, after months of secret talks with Venezuelan officials, performed the largest swap by this administration. 

The president approved the exchange a few weeks ago.  Planes left from the United States and from Venezuela carrying the prisoners to an unnamed third country where the swap took place.

The exchange underscored efforts by the Biden administration since the February invasion of Ukraine by Russia to improve the tattered relationship with Venezuela as an alternative source of oil. In March, U.S. and Venezuelan officials discussed the possibility of easing sanctions on oil exports from Venezuela.

A senior administration official said Biden made “the difficult decision” to grant clemency to the two men.