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Deputy P.D. Is Freed in Prisoner Swap
By a MetNews Staff Writer
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EYVIN HERNANDEZ |
Los Angeles Deputy Public Defender Eyvin Hernandez is among 10 Americans who were released from custody in Venezuela yesterday as part of a prisoner exchange.
Hernandez was arrested on March 31, 2022. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 5, 2022, called upon President Joseph Biden to take action to secure his release, advising the president:
“According to news reports…, Mr. Hernandez accompanied a Venezuelan friend to the Colombia/Venezuela border for what was supposed to be a short trip for the friend to complete an administrative proceeding. However, an encounter with Venezuelan officials resulted in Mr. Hernandez being turned into the military counterintelligence agency of Venezuela. Mr. Hernandez remains detained in a maximum-security prison in Caracas. Venezuela.”
It was alleged that he entered Venezuela unlawfully. That allegation is disputed.
The U.S. State Department designated Hernandez as unlawfully detained.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said yesterday:
“Mr. Hernandez was an innocent bystander caught up in a political power play by the Venezuelan government and has suffered tremendously. I want him and his family to know that our County and its resources stand by to help him recover from this terrible, unjust ordeal.
“His return is a reminder that we should keep fighting for what we know is right, and to not give up hope.”
Supervisor Janice Hahn remarked: “I am so relieved and grateful Eyvin Hernandez is safe and returning home. I applaud the White House and the many U.S. diplomats that worked tirelessly to free Eyvin and the other Americans held prisoner in Venezuela. The L.A. County family never forgot Eyvin during these long 18 months and I cannot think of a better Christmas gift for his loved ones this year than his safe return.”
To gain the release of the Americans, the U.S. agreed to release Alex Saab, an ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Saab was charged with money laundering.
Biden Comments
President Joe Biden commented:
“Today, ten Americans who have been detained in Venezuela have been released and are coming home, including all six wrongfully detained Americans. These individuals have lost far too much precious time with their loved ones, and their families have suffered every day in their absence. I am grateful that their ordeal is finally over, and that these families are being made whole once more.”
He added: “As we welcome home our fellow citizens, I must also remind all Americans of the long-standing warning against traveling to Venezuela. Americans should not travel there.”
UCLA Alumnus
Born in El Salvador in 1978, Hernandez came to the U.S. at a young age. He graduated from the undergraduate and law schools at UCLA.
His admission to the State Bar came on June 1, 2006. He joined the Public Defender’s Office that year.
He was an active member of the Los Angeles County Public Defenders Union—Local 148, serving on its board of directors.
Deputy Public Defender Garrett Miller, who heads that union, remarked:
“Eyvin has been deeply missed by his fellow Local 148 members, and we can’t wait to see him again.”
Copyright 2023, Metropolitan News Company