VOA标准英语--委内瑞拉终于释放乔希·霍尔特

Long-Overdue Release of Holts from Venezuela

The United States welcomes the long over-due release of Joshua Holt and his wife, Thamara, who were unjustly imprisoned¹ in Venezuela. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo thanked U.S. Senator Bob Corker, Senator Orrin Hatch, Senator Mike Lee, Representative Mia Love, and other members of Congress and staff who worked on behalf of the Holt family over the past two years and helped to make their return to the United States a reality.

The Holts' ordeal² began in June 2016 when Joshua had traveled to Venezuela to marry Thamara Caleno, whom he had met on an online dating site. About three weeks later, Venezuelan police arrested Mr. Holt for allegedly conspiring⁴ against the government of President Nicolas Maduro. Police claimed they had uncovered a cache of assault rifles and other weapons among Mr. Holt's possessions. Mrs. Holt was also jailed for being an alleged³ accomplice⁵. Both Holts denied all the charges.

Despite repeated efforts by U.S. government officials, the Venezuelan authorities refused to free the Holts until May 26, when Senator Corker, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with President Maduro in Caracas and secured their release.

“U.S. policy toward Venezuela remains⁶ unchanged,” declared Secretary Pompeo.“The United States stands steadfast⁷ in support of the Venezuelan people and their efforts to return to democracy.”

The safety and welfare of U.S. citizens overseas is among the Department of State's highest priorities, said Secretary Pompeo. “On behalf of the State Department and the entire United States government, we wish Joshua Holt and his family the best after this difficult period.”

1 imprisoned   

下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He was imprisoned for two concurrent terms of 30 months and 18 months. 他被判处30个月和18个月的监禁，合并执行。
• They were imprisoned for possession of drugs. 他们因拥有毒品而被监禁。

2 ordeal   

n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验

参考例句：

• She managed to keep her sanity throughout the ordeal.在那场磨难中她始终保持神志正常。
• Being lost in the wilderness for a week was an ordeal for me.在荒野里迷路一星期对我来说真是一场磨难。

3 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

4 conspiring   

密谋( conspire的现在分词 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致

参考例句：

• They were accused of conspiring against the king. 他们被指控阴谋反对国王。
• John Brown and his associates were tried for conspiring to overthrow the slave states. 约翰·布朗和他的合伙者们由于密谋推翻实行奴隶制度的美国各州而被审讯。

5 accomplice   

n.从犯，帮凶，同谋

参考例句：

• She was her husband's accomplice in murdering a rich old man.她是她丈夫谋杀一个老富翁的帮凶。
• He is suspected as an accomplice of the murder.他涉嫌为这次凶杀案的同谋。

6 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

7 steadfast   

adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的

参考例句：

• Her steadfast belief never left her for one moment.她坚定的信仰从未动摇过。
• He succeeded in his studies by dint of steadfast application.由于坚持不懈的努力他获得了学业上的成功。