“This is through thoughtful work, in the shadows” that Frenchman Camilo Castro, detained in Venezuela since late June, has been released, said Jean-Noël Barrot, Sunday 16 November. Guest of “Political Questions” on France Inter and franceinfo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs assured that“no compensation” for this release. “I myself during my trip to the region – to Mexico and Colombia a few days ago – was able to activate a number of relays and exchange ideas with the relevant interlocutors so that we could achieve this result,” reported the head of French diplomacy. Follow our live stream.
Return to France in a few hours. Contacted by ICI Occitanie, Camilo Castro’s mother announced that her son would arrive at Paris-Orly airport at 16.30. this afternoon, after stopping in Madrid. Speaking to AFP, Hélène Boursier also expressed her relief: “We can’t imagine it (the emotion it represents) compared to all the joys we have in life, all the good surprises.” The longtime Amnesty International activist added that he would do so “Keep fighting so that it doesn’t happen again”. “Just because things ended well for us doesn’t mean we’re going to stop there. We think about other people”said Hélène Boursier.
It was a “surprise,” according to his father-in-law. “We knew there was a lot going on, but we didn’t expect it to happen so quickly”testified at franceinfo Yves Gilbert, father-in-law of Camilo Castro. He “shock”he added. “We got a call yesterday from Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to tell us that (Camilo Castro) was at the embassy.”
Emmanuel Macron praised France’s “coolness”. “Camilo Castro is free. I share the relief of his loved ones and thank all those who worked for his release”said the Head of State on “France sometimes advanced quietly, but always with determination and calm”.
Nearly five months in detention. The 41-year-old yoga teacher disappeared on June 26 at the Paraguachon border post, between Venezuela and Colombia, where he lived. He went there to renew his Colombian residence visa which had expired, his family explained in August. According to research by his relatives and Amnesty International, he was detained by Venezuelan authorities.
