The Italian government has officially welcomed the release of several Italian nationals previously detained in Venezuela, marking a major success for Rome’s "silent diplomacy."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Monday that Alberto Trentini, a humanitarian worker from Venice, and Mario Burlò, an entrepreneur from Turin, have been freed and are currently safe at the Italian Embassy in Caracas. A government flight from Rome is already en route to bring the men home.
A "New Season" of Diplomacy In a statement on social media, Prime Minister Meloni expressed her "joy and satisfaction," thanking the Venezuelan interim authorities—led by President Delcy Rodríguez—for their "constructive cooperation." Meloni hinted at a broader reset in relations, stating her hope for a "new season of constructive ties between Rome and Caracas."
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed that with the release of Trentini and Burlò, no other individuals with exclusively Italian nationality remain in Venezuelan prisons. This follows the release of journalist Biagio Pilieri and businessman Luigi Gasperin earlier last week.
Upgrading Ties in Response As a direct result of this cooperation, Minister Tajani announced that Italy will upgrade its diplomatic representation in Caracas, moving from a charge d’affaires to a full ambassador. Tajani described Venezuela as a "very important country" for Italy, citing the community of approximately 160,000 Italian citizens living there and significant energy interests held by Eni.
Context of the Release The releases are part of a broader gesture of goodwill by the interim Venezuelan government following the dramatic ousting and capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026. While exclusively Italian citizens have been freed, Tajani noted that dozens of dual Italian-Venezuelan nationals remain in custody, and Italy continues to work for their release.
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