Colombian businessman Alex Saab leaves after a meeting with Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro (out of frame) at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas on Dec 20, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

CARACAS — Alex Saab, a Venezuelan diplomat, has returned after more than three years' imprisonment in the United States, authorities said Wednesday.

"The government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela celebrates with joy the release and return to his homeland of our diplomat Alex Saab, who until today was unjustly being held in a US prison," said Communication and Information Minister Freddy Nanez on X, formerly Twitter.

Caracas also demanded the "definitive, immediate and unconditional cessation of the criminal blockade that the United States government has imposed against all Venezuelan people"

Saab was targeted by the US government due to his efforts "to protect the social rights" of Venezuelans struggling under unilateral coercive measures, or sanctions, according to an official communique.

READ MORE: Venezuela confirms US decision to ease oil sanctions

"The country proudly welcomes him after having suffered three and a half years of illegal detention under cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment, violating his human rights and the UN Vienna Convention that grants diplomatic immunity," it said.

In the message, Caracas also demanded the "definitive, immediate and unconditional cessation of the criminal blockade that the United States government has imposed against all Venezuelan people."

Saab was arrested on June 12, 2020, by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in Cape Verde and, in October 2021, was taken to the United States in a move the Venezuelan government described as a "kidnapping."

READ MORE: US offers work permits to half million Venezuelans in US

His capture prompted Caracas to withdraw in protest from the negotiations with the Venezuelan opposition in Mexico.