El Salvador’s President Proposes Humanitarian Agreement with Venezuela

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele proposed a prisoner exchange with Venezuela, offering to repatriate 252 Venezuelans deported by the U.S. in exchange for political prisoners held by the Maduro regime. Bukele emphasized the criminal backgrounds of the Venezuelan detainees while advocating for the release of prominent Venezuelan political prisoners.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has proposed a prisoner exchange with Venezuela, suggesting the repatriation of 252 Venezuelan deportees in exchange for an identical number of political prisoners held by President Nicolas Maduro’s administration. Bukele articulated this proposal through social media, emphasizing a humanitarian approach to the situation.

During a recent engagement at the White House, President Bukele explained that the Venezuelans currently detained in El Salvador were apprehended as part of operations against gangs, particularly Tren de Aragua, in the United States. He highlighted that 288 migrants, accused by the Trump administration of gang affiliations, have recently been deported to El Salvador.

The U.S. government is financially supporting Bukele’s administration for the detainment of these individuals in the infamous CECOT prison located near San Salvador. There has been legal contention in the U.S. regarding the deportation practices, particularly involving challenges from judges that resulted in a Supreme Court order to pause removals under the Alien Enemies Act, which raises concerns about the constitutionality of the actions taken by President Trump.

Bukele made a stark distinction between detainees in El Salvador and political prisoners in Venezuela, asserting that the latter have not committed any crimes except for opposing Maduro’s regime. He specifically called for the release of noted Venezuelan figures, including Rafael Tudares and journalist Roland Carreno, as well as other detainees who have sought refuge within foreign embassies.

In summary, President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has proposed a humanitarian prisoner exchange with Venezuela, seeking to repatriate deported Venezuelans in return for political prisoners detained under Maduro’s regime. This proposition emerges amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and highlights the contrasting circumstances surrounding crime and political dissent on both sides. The move reflects Bukele’s broader strategy to navigate and influence regional challenges.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr