El Salvador’s President Proposes Prisoner Swap with Venezuela

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has proposed exchanging 252 deported Venezuelans for political prisoners held in Venezuela, emphasizing the unjust imprisonment of those opposing President Maduro. The proposal occurs amid existing tensions regarding deportation claims and human rights criticisms towards Bukele.

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has proposed a prisoner exchange with Venezuela, offering to repatriate 252 Venezuelans deported by the United States in return for political prisoners held in Venezuela. He emphasized that the detainees in El Salvador have committed serious crimes, while the Venezuelan political prisoners have been unjustly imprisoned for opposing the government of President Nicolás Maduro due to electoral fraud.

Bukele stated that many of the deportees are alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua and the Salvadoran gang MS-13; however, evidence connecting these inmates to criminal organizations is limited. In contrast, Maduro has labeled the deportations as kidnappings and has denied any criminal activity by those deported.

The Salvadoran leader identified some political prisoners in Venezuela, including Corina Parisca de Machado and Rafael Tudares, as well as four individuals seeking asylum at the Argentine Embassy. These individuals face accusations of terrorism and treason but contend they acted based on principles. They have reported feeling besieged by Venezuelan security forces surrounding the embassy.

Bukele’s initiative includes the release of journalist Roland Carreño and activist Rocío San Miguel, in addition to nearly 50 detainees from various countries, including the United States. This proposal arises amidst scrutiny of Bukele’s acceptance of potential gang-members, as he enforces stringent measures against street crime, leading to significant popularity in El Salvador despite criticisms from international human rights advocates regarding his government’s policies.

In summary, President Nayib Bukele’s proposal for a prisoner exchange with Venezuela presents a controversial approach to addressing the plight of Venezuelans deported from the United States. The exchange would trade 252 deported Venezuelans for political prisoners, drawing attention to issues of crime, deportation, and human rights under Maduro’s regime. As international scrutiny of Bukele’s governance grows, the unfolding situation underscores the complex dynamics within the region concerning migration and political imprisonment.

Original Source: www.wral.com