The exchange involved El Salvador repatriating 250 Venezuelan prisoners in return for 10 US citizens, showcasing improved relations between Salvadorean President Bukele and US officials.
El Salvador and US Finalize Historic Prisoner Exchange with Venezuela
El Salvador and US Finalize Historic Prisoner Exchange with Venezuela
El Salvador has negotiated a notable prisoner swap with Venezuela, resulting in the release of US nationals held captive by the Maduro government.
The government of El Salvador recently announced a landmark agreement with the United States to facilitate the exchange of detained Venezuelans for US nationals imprisoned in Venezuela. Approximately 250 inmates currently held in the Cecot (Centre for the Confinement of Terrorism), notorious for its harsh conditions, will be returned to Venezuela in exchange for 10 US citizens.
The plane transferring these Venezuelan prisoners is set to arrive in Maiquetía, Venezuela, later today. This significant breakthrough follows a period of strengthened relations between El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele and former US President Donald Trump. It was reported that Bukele agreed to the deportation of US migrants, contributing to a cooperative atmosphere.
A senior US administration official confirmed that, with this exchange, there are no Americans remaining under the custody of Venezuelan authorities. "In exchange, we have transferred all the Venezuelan nationals detained in our territory," Bukele stated in a post on social media platform X, also referring to the Venezuelans as members of the Tren de Aragua criminal organization. The transaction not only encapsulates the repatriation of these detainees but also signals the prioritization of US citizens, with Secretary of State Marc Rubio publicly acknowledging the cooperation between both nations.
The Venezuelans involved had previously been deported from the US under the controversial 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which allows for the removal of individuals regarded as threats without standard legal processes. A senior official from the Trump administration highlighted that the decision made by El Salvador to release these prisoners stemmed from humanitarian intentions.
The arrangement is emblematic of the increasingly close ties between the two leaders, with Trump praising Bukele's cooperation in the realm of US deportations. "This deal would not have been achievable without President Bukele's involvement," emphasized the senior official.
Amidst the negotiations, Bukele has expressed interest in expanding the scope of the exchange to include political prisoners held by the Maduro regime, who are often viewed as targets for their dissent against the government. He previously proposed a humanitarian exchange to facilitate the return of Venezuelans for the liberation of political prisoners in Venezuela, stressing the oppressive environment faced by those who oppose the current regime.
While this prisoner exchange mainly concerned US residents, the administration remains vigilant in pursuing the release of numerous political prisoners under Maduro's control, shedding light on the ongoing complexities of US-Venezuela relations and the intricate dynamics involving El Salvador.
