Barger Issues Statement on Release of L.A. County Public Defender in Venezuelan Prisoner Swap

Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued the following statement today, reacting to the announcement by the White House that Eyvin Hernandez, a Los Angeles County public defender imprisoned in Venezuela since March 2022, has been released and is on his way back to the United States:

“It is a huge relief to know that this member of our County family has been released and is on his way back home. 

Mr. Hernandez was an innocent bystander caught up in a political power play by the Venezuelan government and has suffered tremendously. I want him and his family to know that our County and its resources stand by to help him recover from this terrible, unjust ordeal. 

His return is a reminder that we should keep fighting for what we know is right, and to not give up hope.”