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Show Wed/Thurs/Fri, May 30-June 1, 2018 The Park Record B-7 Backchannel with ‘Dracula’ helped free Utah man held in Venezuela JOSHUA GOODMAN AND MATTHEW LEE Associated Press WASHINGTON – A secret backchannel led by a veteran Republican Senate staffer and a flamboyant Venezuelan official nicknamed “Dracula” broke through hostile relations between the two governments to secure the release of American prisoner Joshua Holt, who traveled to the South American country for love and ended up in jail, without a trial, for two years. A week ago the chances of Holt’s long ordeal ending any time soon looked slim. On the eve of Venezuela’s May 20 presidential election, the Utah native appeared in a clandestinely shot video from jail railing against Nicolas Maduro’s government, saying his life had been threatened in a prison riot. In retaliation, he was branded the CIA’s spy boss in Latin America by the head of the ruling socialist party. Hours earlier Maduro expelled the top American diplomat over the refusal of the U.S. to recognize his re-election. But the arrival in Caracas on Friday of Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led to a surprise breakthrough. Maduro handed over Holt and his wife, Thamara Caleno, to Corker in what his government said was a goodwill gesture to promote dialogue and mutual respect between the two antagonistic governments. Holt, 26, traveled to Caracas in June 2016 to marry a fellow Mormon he had met online while looking to improve his Spanish. The couple was waiting for Caleno’s U.S. visa when they were arrested at her family’s apartment in a government housing complex for what the U.S. considered trumped-up charges of stockpiling an assault rifle and grenades. Although Corker sealed the deal in a few tense hours in Venezuela’s collapsing, crime-filled capital, the push to secure Holt’s release began months earlier by Corker’s top Latin American policy aide, Caleb McCarry, who both Corker and Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, credited with leading the painstaking, behindthe-scenes negotiations. McCarry leveraged a 15-yearold relationship with Maduro from their time together on the Boston Group, an informal gathering from across the political spectrum — Democrats, Republicans, socialists and capitalists — from both countries that worked discreetly to repair relations between the two countries following a coup in 2002 against then-President Hugo Chavez. Relationships formed in the now-defunct group were also instrumental in securing the release of another American accused of spying, documentary filmmaker Tim Tracy, who spent a month in a Venezuelan jail in 2013. McCarry secretly traveled to Venezuela in February to discuss Holt’s imprisonment with Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores. The U.S. Embassy was kept at an arm’s length, for fear of derailing the talks, although the initiative was backed by Undersecretary of State Thomas Shannon, who also knew Maduro from his days as political officer in Caracas at the outset of Hugo Chavez’s revolution in the 1990s, several senior U.S. officials said. Holding McCarry’s hand throughout the delicate talks was “Dracula” — Rafael Lacava, the governor of central Carabobo state and a trusted ally of Maduro who also was close to the Boston Group members. Shortly after McCarry’s visit, Lacava traveled to Washington in March to speak with several lawmakers including Hatch, Corker, 435-645-7139 Some of the petS at NuzzleS & Co. lookiNg for love These animals are available to be seen at the Nuzzles & Co. Adoption Center and Rescue Ranch. Our Adoption Center is open Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is located in the Tanger Outlets in Kimball Junction. Our Rescue Ranch is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and closed Sunday. The Rescue Ranch is located at 6466 N. Highview Road in Peoa. Cleo Mei Theona Walnut Cleo is an energetic 10-monthold Shepherd mix. She loves to play with other dogs and ignores cats. She needs an active family who can run and/or hike with her. A good puppy class will also help her use her brain and be the best dog she can be! Meet Mei, a 2-year-old cattle dog mix! This cute girl can be a little timid at times but is very sweet! She’s great on a leash, doesn’t jump, and very much wants to please. She likes to play with other dogs and is cat-selective, so she may do well if properly introduced. Theona is a 3-year-old Chihuahua mix with lots of energy! She loves to go for walks. Theona gets along with some other small dogs and doesn’t pay much attention to cats. She would do best in a home with older kids and an owner who can help her with basic obedience skills. Walnut is a Shepherd mix and is about a year old. He’s a high-energy dog that loves to play and will need lots of exercise. He is working on his training and is a fast learner! He prefers a home without cats, but may do well with another dog with proper introduction. Alec Baldwin Sam Sissy Valentino Alec Baldwin is a talkative grey tabby Domestic Shorthair. He’s a dapper senior gentleman who is around 15 years old. Alec loves the company of people and gets along well with other cats. He is sure to fill his forever home with lots of love and purrs! Sam is a 2-year-old orange tabby and white Domestic Shorthair. This handsome guy has an outgoing and curious personality. He enjoys the company of people and loves attention. He would love a forever home where he can explore and have lots of fun! Sissy is a sweet and mellow Domestic Shorthair with a brown tabby coat. She’s about 8 years old. Sissy is a bit shy at first but does enjoy the company of humans that she feels comfortable around. She would be happy in a relaxed and peaceful forever home. Valentino may be a little bit camera-shy, but that doesn’t make him any less adorable! He’s an easygoing cat who is about 3 years old. Valentino is a snuggly guy who loves to curl up on your lap and snooze the day away. He gets along well with other mellow cats, too! WaNted: voluNteerS These Organizations are looking for volunteers. If you would like to include your group in this section, please email information to copyeditor@parkrecord.com. Please limit your entry to no more than 75 words Holy Cross Ministries Holy Cross Ministries has openings for volunteers in both the School Readiness Program (3 to 5-year-olds at St. Mary’s White Pine Canyon, Mondays-Thursdays, 8:15 a.m.-3 p.m.) and in after-school homework help sessions at Parleys Park, Jeremy Ranch and McPolin Elementary programs which run 3-5:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays. School Readiness will benefit from persons willing to read and work at small group centers. Please contact Miriam Garcia (mgarcia@hcmutah.org) for more information on the School Readiness Program. Contact Franz Montalvo (fmontalvo@hcmutah.org) for information on the After-School Program. The Hope Alliance The Hope Alliance is looking for volunteers to process eyeglasses for the vision program. These eyeglasses will be distributed to some of the poorest communities throughout Peru, Guatemala, and Introducing... Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and Rep. ment that the couple’s release Ed Royce, R-Calif., according to “will in no way change U.S. polseveral senior U.S. officials. All icy towards the dictatorship in the officials agreed to discuss de- Venezuela.” tails of the negotiations only on Alfredo Romero, a lawyer condition of anonymity. who defends some of the oppoHowever, after word of La- sition activists who were held cava’s visit was leaked by Sen. alongside Holt, said that MadMarco Rubio, R-Fla., the admin- uro may be looking to win over istration refused to meet with some political sectors in the U.S. Maduro’s envoy. Rubio warned to temper Trump’s hardline apthat Lacava, who embraces the proach toward Venezuela. nickname Dracula for his habits “Holt’s continued imprisonof tweeting and patrolling around ment was a thorn in the side,” he his state late at night in a Batmo- said. bile-like vehicle, was reportedly The talks were encouraged by www.marketatparkcity.com involved in money laundering, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, making him too toxic for a White who met privately with Corker on Please look for our insert in today’s House bent on punishing such Thursday morning and finalized criminal activity. details of the senator’s trip ahead When The Associated Press of testifying before the Senate reported on the politically Foreign Relations Committee fraught backchannel in March, on the State Department budget. 1990 2018 few imagined it would succeed. “We’re doing all the right things. Speculation swirled that the We have an American there that government was demanding an we desperately want to get back, all-but-impossible prisoner ex- Joshua Holt. And so know that change for Flores’ two nephews, we are engaged,” Pompeo told who in 2016 were convicted in lawmakers at the hearing. New York of drug trafficking, The government of Cuba was after it was learned that a gov- also helpful in pressuring Madernment-connected Venezuelan uro as well as former Spanish la la 3.5” 5”, b&w ad “Lash Extension Special” tycoon was paying Holt’s legalooh President Joséx Luis Rodríguez fees as well as those of the men Zapatero, one official said. Zapabranded the “narco-nephews.” tero has been leading a three-year At the same time, the Trump push to bring the government administration was intensifying a and opposition together to help campaign to isolate Venezuela’s resolve Venezuela’s economic government, sanctioning dozens and political crisis. of officials — including Maduro Still, when Corker left for and Flores — for human rights Caracas on Friday it was still abuses and drug trafficking while unclear if Maduro would follow threatening a more crippling ban through on his pledge to release on oil shipments. Holt, the officials said. An official with the National On Saturday, a beaming LaSecurity Council stressed that cava could be seen in a video nothing had been offered to se- boarding the Venezuelan govcure Holt’s release and that there ernment plane that transported had been no change to U.S. pol- Holt to Washington wearing aviicy to Venezuela. President Don- ator glasses and a dark suit. He ald Trump found out Friday that walked by the camera shouting Holt would be released, said the “Dracula on the attack!” and official, who was not authorized flashing a “V for Victory” sign. to speak publicly and requested In a photograph taken at the anonymity. airport in Caracas, Holt can be Rubio, who has Trump’s seen standing alongside Lacaear on Latin America but only va holding a Venezuela national learned of Corker’s visit when he soccer team jersey emblazoned landed in Caracas, said in a state- with the governor’s name. other impoverished areas, supporting multiple vision campaigns. Volunteers can work at The Hope Alliance’s Park City office, Monday through Saturday, during office hours. For more information, please call 435-333-3334 or email info@thehopealliance.org. Jeremy Ranch Elementary Jeremy Ranch Elementary School offers an excellent senior volunteer opportunity. Reading tutors are needed to mentor young readers throughout the school year. This is a tremendously rewarding experience and you will receive more than you give. No experience required. We will train you and provide a positive, fun atmosphere for your mentoring. We need you for this wonderful purpose filled work! Contact Barbara at 801-699-5158. For a full list of volunteer opportunities, visit parkrecord.com/volunteers Love. Truth. Hair. Holt returns home Tuesday after yearlong ordeal LIZY paper! Lash out for less! Eyelash extensions special through May...And all of our eyelash stylists are in on it. Save over 30% on a full set of Classic Lashes: reg $150+.........now just $100 ...and 20% on a full set of Volume Lashes: reg $250+.........now just $200 Note: We’re booking up fast, so make an appointment to lash out beautifully today. *Special goes thru May 31st (435) 655-2680 1811 Sidewinder Dr, Park City, UT 84060 www.OohLaLaHairParkCity.com MICHELLE JA N E L L E Deer Creek TITLE INSURANCE, INC. Confidence to close! 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