An Israeli-Argentinian man was released from prison in Venezuela and returned to Israel on Tuesday, the Prime Minister’s Office said, over a year after his arrest for allegedly serving as a mercenary on behalf of the United States.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Yaakov Harari, 72, upon his return, as well as with Harari’s two daughters Yael and Ya’ara, who expressed their appreciation to the premier, the Jewish community in Caracas and diplomats who worked to secure his release, the PMO said.

According to Ynet, Harari was among 125 people, mainly US citizens, arrested in January 2025, with Venezuela’s interior minister accusing them of serving as mercenaries for Washington with the aim of attempting a coup in the country.

Caracas said on Monday that 116 prisoners have so far been released as part of a process announced last week to “seek peace” with US President Donald Trump, after the US  captured Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro.

Netanyahu hailed a wide-ranging effort to free Harari.

“The Prime Minister expressed appreciation to the Foreign Ministry, the Mossad and the coordinator of the government coordinator for hostages, Gal Hirsch, for their work and wished to thank the US government, the German government, the Austrian government and the Italian government for the assistance they provided to Israel in the process of returning Yaakov to his homeland,” the PMO added.

It is unclear why Harari was in the country, which cut ties with Israel in 2009 after Operation Cast Lead in........

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