The United States has reportedly decided to send former President Jimmy Carter to North Korea to negotiate the release of Aijalon Gomes, a U.S. citizen who has been held for months by the North for entering the country illegally.

A number of foreign news outlets are reporting that Carter will leave for North Korea on Tuesday, U.S. time, and that Pyongyang has reportedly agreed to release Gomes if Carter does indeed visit.

A senior Washington official who asked not to be named told AP news that Carter plans to bring Gomes back on Wednesday.

To send a clear message that Carter’s visit to the North is strictly for the safe return of Gomes, Washington will not include any government officials in the delegation that will accompany Carter.