France, July 19 -- France's Foreign Affairs MinisterJean-Noel Barrot on Saturday hailed his American counterparts for their role in securing the release of the Franco-American tourist Lucas Hunter who had been held in Venezuela since January.

"I would like to praise the efforts of the US Department of State for helping to secure his freedom," said Barrot on social media.

Hunter, 37, who works in finance in London, was taken into custody in January by Venezuelan security services while travelling along the border with Colombia.

He was freed as part of a deal which brought the release of 10 jailed US citizens and permanent residents in exchange for the return of scores of migrants deported by the USto El Salvador under the American admin...