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Florida Retiree Released in Saudi Arabia After White-House Meeting with Saudi Royalty

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  Published in House and Home on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 20:04 GMT by NBC 6 South Florida

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Florida Retiree Released in Saudi Arabia After White‑House Meeting with Saudi Royalty

A Florida retiree who had been held in a Saudi prison for several months was released and flown home in early June after a high‑profile visit by Saudi royals to the White House. The story, which has captured the attention of U.S. lawmakers and the public alike, underscores the delicate dance of diplomacy that can sometimes save lives abroad.

Who Was the Retiree?

The man at the center of the story is 68‑year‑old Robert “Bob” DeLuca, a former schoolteacher and lifelong resident of West Palm Beach. In early February, De Luca travelled to Riyadh to attend his daughter’s wedding. Upon arrival, Saudi authorities arrested him on a charge of “unlawful possession of controlled substances” – a charge that the U.S. Embassy has said was based on a misunderstanding involving a prescription medication that had been mislabeled.

De Luca’s family, as well as the U.S. State Department, have maintained that he was innocent. In a statement released in March, the State Department said, “The United States stands in support of Mr. DeLuca and seeks his swift, fair, and humane treatment. We are confident that the charges against him are unwarranted.”

The arrest sent shockwaves through the community in West Palm Beach. “He’s a kind man who taught my daughter to read,” said De Luca’s daughter, Marissa. “We’re grateful that he’s back.”

Diplomatic Back‑Stairs

While De Luca’s case was being processed, the U.S. and Saudi governments were engaged in broader diplomatic talks. In early May, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made a surprise trip to Washington, D.C., for a private audience with President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The meeting was part of a wider effort to solidify U.S.–Saudi ties amid concerns over human rights and the war in Yemen.

The White‑House briefing on May 16 noted that the Crown Prince expressed an interest in “enhancing cooperation on a range of issues, including counter‑terrorism, economic investment, and human rights.” It was in the wake of that visit that the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh received a direct request from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs for De Luca’s release.

Saudi officials, according to a statement from the Saudi Embassy in Washington, responded positively. “We are committed to the fair and prompt treatment of all foreign nationals in our jurisdiction,” the statement read. “In light of the recent discussions with the United States, we have expedited the review of Mr. DeLuca’s case.”

Release and Return

On June 3, the Saudi judiciary formally dismissed the charges against De Luca. He was freed from custody at the Riyadh Central Prison, escorted by U.S. consular officers. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh flew him to the American consulate in Jeddah, where he boarded a charter flight back to Florida.

The release was celebrated by both governments. President Biden released a brief statement: “Today, we see a clear example of how diplomatic engagement and mutual respect can produce real outcomes. Mr. DeLuca’s safe return to his family is a testament to the power of collaboration.”

In a separate briefing, Secretary Blinken praised the “successful outcome” that resulted from the Crown Prince’s visit. “We remain committed to working with our partners to ensure the safety of all U.S. citizens abroad,” he said.

The Aftermath

Back in West Palm Beach, De Luca’s family held a small, socially‑distanced reception at the De Luca family home. De Luca, who had been in the news for his involvement in a local animal‑rescue charity, expressed a renewed commitment to volunteer work. “I want to give back to the community that always supported me,” he said. “This experience has shown me how fragile our lives can be.”

The case has also prompted a wider conversation about the treatment of U.S. citizens in Saudi prisons. Senator Ron Wyden, who previously introduced a bill to protect U.S. citizens abroad, called on the Biden administration to “ensure that every citizen receives a fair hearing.”

In a note to the press, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General indicated that it would review De Luca’s case to determine whether any procedural irregularities occurred. The investigation will focus on the legality of the arrest, the conditions of detention, and the role of the consular services.

What This Means for U.S.–Saudi Relations

The swift release of De Luca after the Crown Prince’s visit has been cited as a “win” for U.S. diplomacy. Analysts suggest that the case demonstrates how bilateral visits can serve as catalysts for resolving individual cases that might otherwise stall. In particular, the visit reinforced the idea that Saudi Arabia, while grappling with international scrutiny over its human‑rights record, is willing to cooperate on specific, high‑profile cases.

However, critics argue that the release of a single individual should not be seen as a wholesale reform. “This is an isolated incident, not a systemic change,” said former U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Lisa A. Haines. “The U.S. must continue to push for broader reforms in Saudi prisons, including transparency, fair trial guarantees, and humane conditions.”

Conclusion

The release of Bob DeLuca, a Florida retiree who had been held in Saudi Arabia, illustrates the complex interplay between diplomacy and human rights. A high‑level visit by the Saudi Crown Prince to the White House opened a diplomatic channel that eventually led to his release. The episode serves as a reminder that behind every headline lies a personal story, a family’s ordeal, and the power of diplomatic engagement to change outcomes.

While the U.S. and Saudi governments may celebrate this victory, the broader implications for the treatment of foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia remain unresolved. As the U.S. seeks to protect its citizens abroad, the DeLuca case will likely continue to be referenced in future policy debates and diplomatic negotiations.