Kuwait Releases Multiple American Prisoners

Kuwait released 10 Americans, several of them veterans and military contractors jailed on drug charges, strengthening diplomatic ties with the U.S. as questions remain about those still imprisoned.

Quick Takes

In what is being viewed as a gesture of goodwill, Kuwait released 10 Americans, including veterans and military contractors, who were imprisoned.
The release followed a visit by the Trump administration’s hostage envoy Adam Boehler.
Six Americans were flown from Kuwait to New York on Wednesday, according to Jonathan Franks, the private consultant who accompanied them.
Several other Americans reportedly remain imprisoned in Kuwait, with advocates hoping for their future release.
Kuwait is a major non-NATO ally with close military ties to the U.S. since the 1991 Gulf War.

Strategic Diplomatic Move During Ramadan

Kuwait’s decision to free American prisoners coincides with Ramadan and the upcoming Eid al-Fitr celebrations, a time when prisoner pardons are common in Muslim-majority nations. The ruling emir granted pardons in recognition of Kuwait’s National Day, releasing 10 Americans, some of whom had been detained on drug-related charges. These Americans, some of them being veterans and military contractors working in the Gulf nation, maintained their innocence throughout their detentions. Kuwait has not publicly acknowledged the release at this time.

The release followed a visit by Adam Boehler, the Trump administration’s top hostage envoy. Six of the Americans were flown from Kuwait to New York on Wednesday, accompanied by Jonathan Franks, a consultant who specializes in helping American hostages and detainees overseas.

Kuwait frees 10 jailed Americans, including contractors held on drug charges
https://t.co/Ze4PGsr5t2

— KWQC TV6 News (@kwqcnews) March 14, 2025

Trump Administration’s Push for American Releases

The release comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to secure the releases of Americans detained abroad. Neither the U.S. State Department nor the Kuwaiti government immediately issued official statements about the release, though unofficial acknowledgments have emerged. The freed Americans had not been formally designated as “wrongfully detained” by the U.S. government, a status that would have triggered additional diplomatic and legal resources for their release, making this outcome particularly notable.

Some observers view this development as evidence of a more flexible approach from the Trump administration in securing releases for Americans imprisoned abroad, even without formal wrongful detention designations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously said that the United States “remains steadfast in its support for Kuwait’s sovereignty and the well-being of its people,” suggesting continued strong diplomatic relations between the nations. President Trump has also recently announced Amer Ghalib as the new U.S. ambassador to Kuwait.

Ongoing Concerns About Americans in Kuwaiti Prisons

Despite this development, additional Americans remain imprisoned in Kuwait. According to a 2020 New York Times investigation, at least 28 Americans were imprisoned in Kuwait between 2015 and 2020 on drug charges, with all maintaining their innocence. Many of these cases involve military contractors who have alleged abuse and trumped-up charges. The State Department continues to warn travelers about Kuwait’s severe penalties for drug offenses, which can include lengthy prison sentences. Franks noted that there are other Americans he is representing who he expects will be released at a later date.

One notable case is that of former Army veteran Jermaine Rogers, who spent eight years in a Kuwaiti prison before being pardoned. The circumstances surrounding these cases highlight the complexities of international detention issues and the importance of maintaining strong diplomatic channels. Kuwait’s status as a major non-NATO ally and its close military partnership with the U.S. since the 1991 Gulf War makes these releases particularly significant within the broader context of Middle East relations and America’s ongoing security interests in the region.