A group photo of the Citgo6 and their families taken during the proclamation ceremony in the office of Houston Mayor Sebastián Turner, where December 19th was officially declared "Citgo6 Day" in Houston.
I met M. Night Shyamalan at the
James W. Foley Legacy Foundation’s 2023 Gala. M. Night Shyamalan is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer known for his suspenseful, twist-filled movies. Born in India and raised in the U.S., Shyamalan gained international fame with his breakout film The Sixth Sense (1999), which received multiple Academy Award nominations.
He is recognized for his distinct style that often blends supernatural elements with psychological tension, as well as his use of plot twists. Shyamalan is known for often writing, directing, and producing his films, and for his unique approach to storytelling.
In this photo, former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is seen presenting me with the acclamation and official declaration of Citgo6 Day, celebrated every December 19 in Houston, Texas.
Diane Foley is the founder and president of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, an organization dedicated to the protection of journalists, the promotion of press freedom, and the support of American hostages and their families. Diane is the mother of James Foley, a freelance journalist who was kidnapped and brutally murdered by ISIS in Syria in 2014, an event that drew international attention to the dangers faced by journalists in conflict zones. After James’s tragic death, Diane channeled her grief into advocacy, working to improve government policies around hostage recovery and supporting families affected by kidnapping. The foundation also works to promote the values James stood for, such as truth, courage, and freedom. Diane Foley has become a prominent figure in hostage diplomacy and international advocacy, tirelessly pushing for policy changes and increased support for hostages and their families.
My Hostage Community Family:
Eyvin Hernandez is a U.S. citizen and a Los Angeles-based lawyer who was detained in Venezuela. He was arrested in March 2022 while on a trip near the Colombian-Venezuelan border, reportedly while trying to assist a friend. He was accused of being involved in espionage, a charge that he and his supporters strongly denied. His detention became part of a broader pattern of Americans being held in Venezuela, a situation often referred to as “hostage diplomacy.” Efforts by his family, friends, and U.S. officials have been made to secure his release. His case has garnered attention, particularly within the context of strained U.S.-Venezuelan relations.
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Luke Denman and Airan Berry are two former U.S. Special Forces soldiers who were captured in Venezuela in May 2020. They were involved in a failed operation called “Operation Gideon,” an attempted coup against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The operation, reportedly organized by a private security company led by a former Green Beret named Jordan Goudreau, aimed to overthrow the Venezuelan government. Both Denman and Berry were arrested by Venezuelan authorities and later sentenced to 20 years in prison. They were charged with terrorism, conspiracy, illicit trafficking of weapons of war, and criminal association. The operation’s failure drew international attention, particularly due to the involvement of U.S. citizens and the larger geopolitical context between Venezuela and the U.S.
This photo was taken during a speech at a House hearing in July 2023, where we discussed Hostage Diplomacy as a potential national security threat. On the far left is David Levinson, son of Robert Levinson, an FBI special agent who was abducted in Iran in 2007; his body was never found, and in his honor, the 'Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act' was signed to protect hostages and the wrongfully detained. Next to him is Matthew Heath, a former U.S. Marine and hostage in Venezuela, followed by Tomeu Vadell Recalde, my colleague from the Citgo6.
Carole Chedid is the Director, Secretary of the Board, and the wife of the President of Hostage Aid Worldwide (HAW).
She plays a pivotal role in the organization’s mission to support hostages and their families, advocating for policy changes and providing essential guidance during and after captivity. Alongside her husband, who serves as the President, Carole contributes to the strategic direction and administration of HAW, helping to combat hostage-taking and promote the well-being of former hostages.
Dr. Mark Holland is a motivational speaker, leadership strategist, and retired pastor with over 27 years of pastoral service. He is a certified speaker, teacher, trainer, and coach through the John Maxwell Team. Dr. Holland is also a mentee and personal friend and spiritual adviser of renowned motivational speaker Les Brown, who has significantly influenced his speaking career. Their collaboration emphasizes the importance of mentorship in personal and professional development.
Sofía Adrogué is a distinguished attorney and civic leader based in Houston, Texas. Born in Argentina, she has built a notable legal career in the United States, focusing on complex business litigation. Adrogué is a partner at Diamond McCarthy LLP and serves as the Founder and Editor of the “Texas Business Litigation” treatise, now in its fifth edition.
In June 2024, Texas Governor Greg Abbott appointed her as a judge for the newly established Eleventh Business Court Division in Houston, effective September 1, 2024. This court was created to efficiently handle complex commercial disputes across several counties, including Harris and Fort Bend.
Recently, she was appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Texas.
Pastors José Daniel and Yoanny Martínez are the general pastors of Intimidad con Dios, a nondenominational church located in the northern Houston area of Texas. Their ministry focuses on restoring families to their original design through fostering personal relationships with God. Under their leadership, the church emphasizes worship and community impact, offering services in both English and Spanish.
Ali Arab is an influential figure in the field of hostage diplomacy and human rights. He is a board member of Hostage Aid Worldwide, an organization dedicated to the global fight against hostage-taking, particularly state-sponsored hostage diplomacy. This troubling practice involves regimes detaining foreign nationals as leverage in political negotiations. Hostage Aid Worldwide collaborates with former hostages, families, governments, and international organizations to tackle this issue, ensuring that hostages and their loved ones have a strong support network. Ali Arab, in addition to his work with Hostage Aid, is also an Associate Professor of Statistics at Georgetown University. He has actively spoken out against the use of hostages as political tools, advocating for the development of new methods and deeper collaboration between governments to address this international crisis. Arab emphasizes the importance of solidarity and visibility in hostage cases, pushing for systemic changes to prevent such human rights violations. Furthermore, the case of José Pereira, a worker with Citgo, exemplifies the complexities of hostage situations where individuals are caught in political crossfires. Debra Tice is the mother of Austin Tice, a journalist who has been missing in Syria since 2012. Austin was captured while reporting on the civil war, and his family has been advocating tirelessly for his release ever since. Debra has become a strong voice for families of American hostages, including those like José Pereira, and frequently participates in public forums, raising awareness about the ongoing plight of detainees like her son. Gazelle Sharmahd is the daughter of Jamshid Sharmahd, a German-American citizen who was abducted by Iranian authorities in 2020 while traveling through the Middle East. Jamshid was accused of terrorism by the Iranian regime and sentenced to death. Gazelle has been a vocal advocate for her father, highlighting the brutal conditions of his detention and calling for international action to secure his release. These individuals are deeply connected to the global fight against hostage-taking and international advocacy for the release of their loved ones, often risking their safety to stand against oppressive regimes.
Sting performed at the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation’s 10th Anniversary Gala. I was an invited guest and Sting performed the song “The Empty Chair,” which he co-wrote with American record producer J. Ralph for the 2016 documentary film Jim: The James Foley Story, at the suggestion of Jim’s childhood friend and the film’s director, Brian Oakes. The song was nominated for a 2017 Academy Award and the film received the Primetime Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking and the 2016 Sundance Audience Award.
Roger Carstens is the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA). In this role, he leads diplomatic efforts to secure the release of Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad. He works closely with families of hostages, other U.S. government agencies, and foreign governments to advocate for the release of U.S. citizens and to coordinate related diplomatic initiatives. Before serving in this role, Carstens had a distinguished career in the U.S. Army Special Forces, as well as experience in various diplomatic and national security positions. He has become a key figure in U.S. efforts to resolve complex hostage situations and wrongful detentions, especially in cases involving high-profile American citizens detained by foreign governments. His work is often focused on quiet diplomacy, negotiation, and leveraging international alliances to achieve successful outcomes in these sensitive situations.
Paul Rusesabagina, a former hostage of Rwanda, is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded by George W. Bush for his heroic actions during the Rwandan genocide in the 1990s, which inspired the Oscar-winning film *Hotel Rwanda*, where his role was portrayed by Don Cheadle. Wayne Abbot, a Canadian producer and filmmaker, is currently working on adapting my story into an anthology film, with my chapter titled "The Madness Room." He is also developing the Citgo6 story into a six-part docu-series, which he aims to pitch to streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.
Francis Racioppi is a former U.S. Army Green Beret who served for 13 years, including three deployments to Iraq and operations across Africa. After his military service, he transitioned into leadership roles in the private sector, notably serving as the Director of Global Security for Snapchat and as Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer of Genius Fund, a vertically integrated cannabis company in Los Angeles.
The Jedburgh Podcast, hosted by Francis Racioppi, focuses on leadership, resilience, and transformation, drawing heavily from Racioppi’s experiences as a Green Beret and Special Forces officer.
His military background informs the discussions on the show, where he often interviews influential leaders from various fields, including military, business, and politics.
The show emphasizes critical leadership lessons, personal growth, and the ability to overcome adversity, inspired by the legacy of the WWII Jedburgh teams, who were elite Allied soldiers that played pivotal roles behind enemy lines.
Racioppi is also the founder of the leadership development company FRsix, where he helps organizations and leaders enhance their performance through strategic and practical guidance.
His work in the podcast and company centers on the values of adaptability, decision-making under pressure, and fostering effective leadership within challenging environments .
HOSTAGE AID WORLDWIDE HONORS FORMER HOSTAGE JOSE PEREIRA
I met José Díaz-Balart at the 2024 NAHJ Conference in Chicago under the most unexpected and powerful circumstances. After a long journey filled with delays, cancellations, and arriving without my luggage, I went to the conference hotel exhausted and wearing the same clothes from the day before. As I walked toward the registration area, there he was — standing alone in the hallway. It was a divine moment. I approached him, introduced myself, and shared my story as a former CEO turned international hostage survivor. I handed him both versions of my book, From Hero to Villain and De Héroe a Villano. To my surprise, he already knew the CITGO6 story. We had an inspiring conversation, and right there, we agreed to schedule an interview to share the full journey. It was proof that purpose always finds its moment — even when everything seems to go wrong.
🎤 Honored to share the stage at NAHJ 2024 with Ana María López Caldwell —
A passionate advocate for representation, identity, and empowerment within the Hispanic community.
Ana María is a respected Latina scholar, journalist, and community leader, known for her work on bilingual media, multicultural education, and amplifying underrepresented voices. Her insights on intersectionality, language justice, and identity were not just powerful — they were necessary.
In our panel, we spoke about:
✅ Resilience under pressure
✅ Perseverance despite adversity
✅ The importance of never hiding our Hispanic heritage
What a Privilege✨
🎤 In the recent George Washington Freedom Award Gala, the Venezuelan and the US national anthem as a symbol of brotherhood between this two nations, were performed by Lilibeth Morillo, the daughter of the two Venezuelan Icons Jose Lui s" el Puma" Rodriguez and Lila Morillo
What a Honor ✨
In the recent George Washington Freedom Award Gala, we receive the honorific from the hands of Dr. Jay Collins Lieutenant Governor of Florida., recognition for the tragedy we endure, the courage, bravery and resilience as been a 5 year Hostage and a Venezuelan Political Prisoner”
What a divine connection! ✨
In the recent George Washington Freedom Award Galas I shared stage with Carmen Maria Montiel Former Miss World and Miss Venezuela and actually running for the US Congress
A memorable night at the Fluxx Global Awards Gala in Las Vegas, celebrating excellence in leadership, education, and innovation.
It was an honor to share this moment with my friend Bruce Merrin, legendary public relations icon and founder of Bruce Merrin Celebrity Speakers, who has represented world-renowned figures from Elvis Presley to Muhammad Ali.
A powerful reminder that true leadership is built on legacy, purpose, and the courage to inspire others. 🌟
I recorded with my wife and as Host Karina Yapor, the respected Univision journalist Voz News actual anchor and longtime anchor of the nightly news, now host of the acclaimed podcast “Fear to Talk.”
I ’m honored to share that I was finally Guest on her podcast “Fear to Talk.”. 🌟