Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Venezuela's interim government has freed several jailed Americans, according to reports, the first known release of American detainees since the United States detained former leader Nicolas Maduro in a clandestine military raid early this month.
"We welcome the release of detained Americans in Venezuela," the State Department said in a statement reported by The New York Times, CNN and ABC News.
"This is an important step in the right direction by the interim authorities."
It was unclear how many Americans were released, though officials familiar with the situation told some outlets that several were freed.
The Trump administration has been calling for the release of all detained Americans in the South American nation.
