Another Hungarian citizen has been released from prison in Venezuela

Another Hungarian citizen has been released from detention in Venezuela, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced on Friday, confirming that two out of three imprisoned Hungarians are now free.

In a video message published on social media, Szijjártó said Venezuelan authorities released the woman in the presence of Hungary’s honorary consul in Caracas. The Hungarian national had previously been detained as a member of the international crew of a research vessel operating near the Venezuelan coastline.

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Diplomatic cooperation led to release

According to the foreign minister, Hungarian diplomatic services worked closely with the local Dutch consulate and, since a recent US-led diplomatic operation in Caracas, also maintained continuous contact with American partners to secure her release. “These efforts have now paid off,” Szijjártó said, adding that the woman is free, safe, and currently accompanied by Hungary’s honorary consul. Arrangements for her return to Hungary are already under way.

Research vessel detention near Venezuelan waters

Although the ministry did not initially confirm her identity, Telex’s report indicates that the released detainee is Zsuzsanna Bossányi. She was taken into custody in mid-June last year while travelling aboard a Panama-flagged research vessel. The ship was reportedly approaching Venezuelan waters as part of an expedition searching for shipwrecks dating back to the First and Second World Wars.

After the vessel lost contact on 12 June 2025, it later emerged that Venezuelan authorities had detained the crew. Early reports suggested the entire research team was arrested on suspicion of espionage and terrorism, although no formal charges have since been brought against them.

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Detention in Caracas and lack of formal charges

Bossányi was reportedly held separately from her male colleagues and transferred to La Crisálida women’s prison near Caracas. Following her detention, she contacted Hungarian representatives in the country, after which the Hungarian embassy sought official clarification from Venezuelan authorities. However, details of the investigation were not made public.

One Hungarian citizen still in custody

Szijjártó confirmed that, with her release, two of the three Hungarian citizens known to have been imprisoned in Venezuela are now free. One Hungarian national remains in custody, and the foreign minister pledged that diplomatic efforts would continue until their release is secured as well.

Thanks to Dutch and US partners

The minister also expressed gratitude to Dutch counterparts for their close cooperation on the ground, noting that the Hungarian honorary consul worked alongside them throughout the process. He also thanked the United States, saying that ongoing coordination since Washington’s recent diplomatic intervention in Caracas had contributed to the release of several political detainees in Venezuela, including Hungarians.

Another Hungarian citizen was reportedly freed earlier this week, a development that had not previously been disclosed publicly. The government has not released further information about the remaining detainee or the circumstances of their imprisonment.

Hungary’s foreign ministry has reiterated that it continues to prioritise the safety and repatriation of all Hungarian citizens detained abroad, using every available diplomatic channel to achieve that goal.