News & Media
Prisoner & Hostage Exchange
‘Undersecretary for thugs’: Bill Richardson’s endless push to free Americans detained abroad (USA Today)
Thursday, April 20, 2023
What do Brittney Griner in Russia, Danny Fenster in Myanmar and hostages from Sudan to North Korea have in common? The controversial efforts of one man who’s “a friend of the administration.” To read the full article, Click Here
Statement on the Release of James Frisvold from Mexico
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Governor Bill Richardson and the Richardson Center are thrilled to announce that Navy veteran, James Frisvold, has been released from Mexico, today March 30, 2023, and is currently with the Richardson Center team, on his way home, to reunite with his mother Mariann. James has been held in Guerrero, Mexico, for the last 13 years in a de-factoRead the full article »
Statement on the Release of Taylor Dudley from Russia
Saturday, January 14, 2023
Governor Bill Richardson and the Richardson Center are thrilled to announce that Navy veteran, Taylor Dudley, has been released from Russia today, January 12, 2023, at the Russia-Poland Bagrationovsk-Bezledy border crossing, and is currently with the Richardson Center team, on his way home, together with his mother Shelley. Taylor has been held in Kaliningrad, Russia, since April of last year.Read the full article »
Statement on the Release of Brittney Griner from Russia
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Governor Richardson is supportive of the President’s decision to bring Brittney Griner home to her family, and commends the Biden Administration for their efforts in securing her release. Along with the President, Governor Richardson recognizes that the safe return of Paul Whelan needs to be the next major priority, and will continue to work withRead the full article »
Statement on the Release of Kyaw Htay Oo and Sean Turnell from Myanmar
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Governor Bill Richardson and the Richardson Center appreciate the release today of American Kyaw Htay Oo and Australian Sean Turnell, among others, from prison in Myanmar. The Richardson Center has worked closely with the family of Kyaw Htay Oo — his sister Lin Lin and his brother-in-law David — as well as Sean Turnell’s wife,Read the full article »
Statement on the Release of American Prisoners from Venezuela
Saturday, October 1, 2022
Governor Bill Richardson and the Richardson Center are relieved that American prisoners, Tomeu Vedell, Alirio and Jose Luis Zambrano, Jorge Toledo, Jose Pereira, Matthew Heath and Osman Khan have been released from prison in Venezuela and are on their way home to be reunited with their families. Over the last three years we have beenRead the full article »
Statement by Gov. Richardson Regarding Matthew Heath’s Attempted Suicide
Monday, June 20, 2022
I was deeply concerned to hear early today from Matthew Heath’s family about Matthew’s attempted suicide over the weekend at his prison cell in Venezuela. Let me be clear – this is a life and death situation that should be taken with the utmost seriousness by everyone involved. It is my intention to press theRead the full article »
Gov Richardson on CNN Regarding the Release of Trevor Reed
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
<<Please click here for the interview clip>>
Statement on the Release of Trevor Reed from Russia
Governor Bill Richardson and the Richardson Center are thrilled and relieved that American prisoner, Trevor Reed, has been released from prison in Russia and is on his way home to be reunited with his family. Over the last two years we have been working closely with Trevor’s parents, Paula and Joey, as well as theirRead the full article »
Statement on Fernando Espinoza Release from Libya
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
Governor Bill Richardson and the Richardson Center are thrilled and relieved that American and former Navy, Fernando Espinoza, has been released from detainment in Libya and is on his way home to be reunited with his family. Over the last few weeks, we have been working closely with Fernando’s mother, Sara, trying to secure hisRead the full article »