One Year in Captivity
It has been one year since I was looking at a photograph of body bags in the back of a pickup truck in Venezuela with the very real possibility my brother was in one of them. I continue to be grateful he was not. I cannot imagine the loss for the families of the young men who did die that day.
Over the past year, we have been able to learn quite a bit about what led to that moment. I have also watched as my brother has gained or lost body weight depending on how successfully we are in getting them food.
I am happy to report that, based on our best information, both Airan and Luke are getting to a healthy weight and we are expecting them to have a fairly regular and stable food supply. This is thanks to the efforts of many, both in Venezuela and here in the United States.
Our mission and priorities have not changed; assure their humane treatment and get them home.
At this point, their humane treatment is mostly related to food supply. Something, we think, is mostly stable.
Getting them home is much more nuanced. We are encouraged by gestures of goodwill made by Venezuela to the United States. Positive dialog is never a bad thing. As this dialog moves forward our job is to make sure Luke and Airan are part of it.
Your donations support these ongoing efforts. So here on the one-year anniversary of their capture, I ask that you donate what you can to keep these boys fed and get them home.