A federal judge in Miami has mandated that Nicolás Maduro's government pay $314 million to three American citizens who were imprisoned and subjected to torture in Venezuela before their release during a prisoner swap in December 2023, as reported by AP News.
The plaintiffs, Jerrel Kenemore, Edgar José Marval, and Jason Saad, endured nearly two years of captivity under conditions described in their lawsuit as "indescribably harsh."
The Venezuelan regime used them as de facto hostages following the capture and extradition of Colombian businessman Alex Saab—an alleged frontman for Maduro's government—to the United States in 2021, intending to use them in a future diplomatic exchange.
Allegations of torture include back fractures from beatings, electric shocks to the genitals, psychological torture, and theft of savings in Marval's case, while Kenemore and Saad reported systematic beatings and degrading treatment throughout their detention.
The trio was released on December 20, 2023, as part of a deal between the Biden administration and Caracas, in which Washington handed over Saab in exchange for ten American citizens, six of whom were officially designated as "wrongfully detained" by the State Department.
The lawsuit was filed on January 4, 2026, in the Southern District of Florida under the Anti-Terrorism Act, allowing U.S. citizens to seek the seizure of assets from foreign terrorist organizations within U.S. jurisdiction.
This ruling follows a precedent set in January 2023, when Judge Federico A. Moreno ordered Maduro and the Cartel of the Suns to pay $153 million to Venezuelan attorney Carlos Marrón and his family for 878 days of detention and torture, making Miami federal courts the primary venue for lawsuits against the Venezuelan regime.
The Saab case took a dramatic turn: the businessman, whose release was the price of the 2023 swap, was re-arrested in Venezuela in February 2026 during a joint operation by SEBIN and the FBI and extradited to the United States on May 17, 2026, where he faces charges of money laundering and conspiracy, carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years.
Simultaneously, Washington has increased pressure on Caracas: in August 2025, the U.S. doubled the reward for information on Maduro from $25 million to $50 million, accusing him of leading the Cartel of the Suns.
The $314 million compensation represents one of the largest judicial awards granted to victims of the Venezuelan regime's repression in U.S. courts, although its actual collection will depend on the ability to seize Venezuelan assets under U.S. jurisdiction.
Key Questions on the U.S. Verdict Against Maduro's Regime
What was the basis for the lawsuit against Nicolás Maduro's regime?
The lawsuit was filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, which allows U.S. citizens to seek asset seizures from foreign terrorist organizations within U.S. jurisdiction.
Who were the American citizens involved in the case against Venezuela?
The plaintiffs were Jerrel Kenemore, Edgar José Marval, and Jason Saad, who were held captive for nearly two years under harsh conditions.
How does this ruling impact future cases against the Venezuelan government?
This ruling, along with previous cases, solidifies Miami federal courts as a key venue for legal actions against the Venezuelan regime, setting a precedent for future claims.